Questions & Answers
Do weekends count as part of annual leave if they fall within the requested vacation period?
Hello,
I would like to check if there is any labor regulation in Dubai that requires counting weekends (Saturday and Sunday) as part of the annual leave if these days fall within the requested vacation period.
I would appreciate your clarification or a reference to the applicable regulation.
Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the treatment of weekends during annual leave under the UAE Labour Law.
As per Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, specifically Article 29(7), annual leave is calculated in calendar days.
Therefore, if weekends (typically Saturday and Sunday in Dubai) fall within the approved leave period, they are counted as part of the annual leave. However, if the weekends fall entirely before the start or after the end of the approved leave, they are not deducted from the leave balance.
We recommend reviewing your internal HR policies or employment contract, as some employers may offer more favorable terms (e.g., calculating leave in working days).
Should you need assistance reviewing specific leave scenarios or require support in a dispute, we would be happy to assist further.
Best regards,
