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Does unpaid leave include weekends if they fall within the leave period?

Hello,

If I take unpaid leave and a weekend falls in between, will the weekend also be counted as unpaid leave, meaning I will not receive a salary for those weekend days?

Thank you!

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Alawi Aljaberi Advocates & Legal Consultants
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21 Mar 2025, 05:14

It will be included.

21 Mar 2025, 05:16

Appreciate you fast and prompt response!

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Rashid Khalil Obaid Advocates and Legal Consultancy
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21 Mar 2025, 07:03

If you take unpaid leave for a continuous period, and a weekend falls within that period, the weekend days are typically included in the unpaid leave duration.

The principle behind this is that unpaid leave is a continuous period of absence from work, and weekends are considered part of that period.

If you need further clarification, you may ask us.

21 Mar 2025, 07:05

Thank you so much for the clarification and fast response!

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Hend Humaid Alnuaimi Advocates & Legal Consultants
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21 Mar 2025, 07:19

If you take unpaid leave and a weekend falls in between, generally those weekend days will not be counted as unpaid leave, meaning you will not receive a salary deduction for those weekend days.

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Mohamed Bakheet Advocates & Legal Consultants
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21 Mar 2025, 08:07

In the UAE, if you take unpaid leave and it falls on a weekend, the weekend is usually counted as part of your leave period and is considered part of your unpaid leave days.

This means you will not receive pay for the weekend days if they are part of your unpaid leave period.

However, you should check your employment contract or company policy, as some companies may have different policies regarding the inclusion of weekends or public holidays in unpaid leave.

If the leave includes only working days, only the working days should be deducted from your salary, but the weekend may not be counted as part of the deductions unless this is explicitly stated in the contract.

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Rashid Khalil Obaid Advocates and Legal Consultancy
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21 Mar 2025, 08:09

Dear questioner,

Generally, when leave is calculated, it's often based on calendar days. This means that weekends (Fridays and Saturdays, or whichever days constitute the official weekend) could potentially be included in the calculation of unpaid leave.

The UAE Labor Law provides a framework for leave entitlements, but the precise treatment of weekends within unpaid leave might be subject to interpretation and company-specific practices.

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Dar Al Haqooq Legal Consultancy
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23 Mar 2025, 01:51

Hello,

Thank you for your question regarding unpaid leave and weekends in the UAE!

Generally, weekends that fall within an unpaid leave period are not counted as working days and are therefore not paid.

This means that if you take unpaid leave that includes a weekend, you will likely not receive a salary for those weekend days.

The calculation for unpaid leave in the UAE is typically based on the following formula:

Unpaid Leave Deduction = (Basic Salary ÷ Total Working Days) x Number of Unpaid Leave Days[1]

In this formula, the Total Working Days usually refers to the standard 30-day month used for salary calculations in the UAE. The Number of Unpaid Leave Days would include all calendar days within your leave period, including weekends[1].

However, it's important to note that specific policies can vary between employers. For the most accurate information regarding your particular situation, it's advisable to consult your company's HR department or refer to your employment contract, as these may provide more detailed guidelines on how unpaid leave and weekends are handled in your organization.

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