Compassionate Leave in UAE: Rules, Eligibility & Entitlement

Compassionate leave, also called bereavement leave, is paid time off for employees who lose a family member. In the UAE, employees get 5 days of paid leave on the death of a spouse and 3 days on the death of a parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild. It is covered under Article 32 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and does not affect annual leave.

Quick Summary

• Compassionate leave in the UAE is a statutory paid entitlement under Article 32 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
• Entitlement: 5 days for the death of a spouse, and 3 days for the death of a parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild.
• Paid? Yes, fully paid at the employee's regular salary.
• Eligibility: All private sector employees from day one, with no minimum service requirement.
• Does not affect annual leave balance - it is a separate statutory entitlement.
• Documents required: Death certificate, and sometimes proof of relationship.
• Employers cannot reject a valid compassionate leave request.
• Applies to all employees regardless of nationality, including expatriates.
• Available during probation since it is a statutory right from the first day of employment.
• Extended family such as aunts, uncles, or cousins are not covered under the law but may be included at the employer's discretion.

Compassionate Leave at a Glance

What Is Compassionate Leave?

Definition

Compassionate leave is paid time off granted to an employee following the death of a close family member, allowing them to grieve and manage family matters without financial loss.

Purpose

It gives employees space to attend funerals, support their family, and handle urgent affairs during a difficult time.

Why Compassionate Leave Matters

Losing a family member is emotionally difficult. Compassionate leave protects the employee's income during this period and reflects a basic standard of workplace care set by UAE law.

Compassionate Leave Under UAE Labour Law

Legal Provisions

Article 32 of the UAE Labour Law provides paid bereavement leave. The leave period begins from the date of death and is paid at the employee's full salary.

Private Sector Rules

This entitlement applies to all private sector employees in the UAE, regardless of nationality, with no minimum service requirement.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers must grant this leave promptly, pay full salary for the period, and ensure it does not reduce the employee's annual leave balance.

Who Is Eligible for Compassionate Leave?

Immediate Family Members

Coverage includes the employee's spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren.

Extended Family

UAE Labour Law does not extend statutory compassionate leave to relatives like aunts, uncles, or cousins. Employers may offer this at their own discretion as part of company policy.

Full-Time Employees

All full-time private sector employees qualify from their first day of employment.

Part-Time Employees

Part-time employees are generally covered as well, though specific arrangements may vary depending on the employment contract.

Compassionate Leave Entitlement in UAE

Death of Spouse

5 days of paid leave.

Death of Parent

3 days of paid leave.

Death of Child

3 days of paid leave.

Other Family Members

3 days of paid leave for siblings, grandparents, or grandchildren.

Is Compassionate Leave Paid?

Yes. Compassionate leave is fully paid at the employee's regular salary and does not reduce the employee's annual leave balance.

Documents Required

Death Certificate

A death certificate is the primary document needed to confirm eligibility for compassionate leave.

Supporting Documents

Depending on company policy, proof of relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate, may also be requested.

Employer Verification

Employers may verify documents before or after the leave is taken, though the leave itself should not be delayed pending this verification given the urgency of the situation.

How to Apply for Compassionate Leave

Inform Employer

Notify your manager or HR as soon as possible, ideally on the same day, given the sensitive and urgent nature of the situation.

Submit Documents

Provide the death certificate and any other required documents as soon as they are available, even if this happens after the leave has started.

Approval Process

Compassionate leave is generally approved immediately given the circumstances, without the standard advance notice required for annual leave.

Can an Employer Reject Compassionate Leave?

No. Compassionate leave is a statutory right under UAE Labour Law, and employers cannot reject a valid request supported by proof of the family member's death.

Compassionate Leave Policy Best Practices

For Employers

Maintain a clear, written compassionate leave policy, extend flexibility around documentation timing, and consider offering support beyond the legal minimum, such as extended unpaid leave for further family needs.

For HR Teams

Process compassionate leave requests quickly and sensitively, and keep clear records that separate it from annual leave and sick leave for accurate reporting.

For Employees

Notify your employer promptly, and submit supporting documents as soon as they are available to keep the leave record accurate.

Examples

Example 1

An employee's father passes away. The employee informs HR the same day and is granted 3 days of paid leave starting immediately.

Example 2

An employee's spouse passes away unexpectedly. HR grants the full 5-day entitlement and offers additional unpaid leave if the employee needs more time.

Example 3

An employee's grandmother passes away while the employee is on approved annual leave. The company converts those days to compassionate leave and restores the equivalent annual leave days to the employee's balance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Employers sometimes deduct compassionate leave from the annual leave balance, which is incorrect. Employees sometimes delay informing their employer, which can create confusion about the leave classification. HR teams occasionally overlook eligible relationships, such as grandchildren, which are also covered under the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is compassionate leave mandatory in the UAE?

Yes, it is a statutory entitlement under Article 32 of the UAE Labour Law.

How many days of compassionate leave are allowed?

5 days for the death of a spouse, and 3 days for the death of a parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild.

Is compassionate leave paid?

Yes, it is fully paid at the employee's regular salary.

Who qualifies as an immediate family member?

Spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren, as defined under UAE Labour Law.

What documents are required?

A death certificate, and sometimes proof of relationship to the deceased.

Can compassionate leave be extended?

The statutory entitlement is fixed, but employees can request additional annual leave or unpaid leave if more time is needed.

Can employers refuse compassionate leave?

No, not when the request is valid and supported by appropriate documentation.

Is compassionate leave different from bereavement leave?

No, the terms are used interchangeably to describe the same statutory entitlement.

Does compassionate leave affect annual leave?

No, it is a separate entitlement and does not reduce the annual leave balance.

Can expatriates take compassionate leave?

Yes, the entitlement applies to all private sector employees regardless of nationality.

Is compassionate leave available during probation?

Yes, since it is a statutory right that applies from the first day of employment.

What happens if multiple family members pass away?

Each qualifying event is treated separately, with the corresponding number of leave days granted for each loss.

Can compassionate leave be combined with annual leave?

Yes, employees can extend their time off by using annual leave alongside the compassionate leave entitlement.

Can compassionate leave be taken outside the UAE?

Yes, if the employee needs to travel for the funeral or family matters, the leave can be used for that purpose.

Does compassionate leave apply to private-sector employees?

Yes, it applies specifically to private sector employees under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.

Is compassionate leave available for adoptive parents or guardians?

UAE Labour Law does not specifically address this scenario. Coverage would depend on company policy in such cases.

How soon should employees notify their employer?

As soon as possible, ideally the same day, given the urgent nature of the situation.

What happens if supporting documents cannot be submitted immediately?

Employers generally allow the leave to proceed and accept documentation once it becomes available.

Does compassionate leave count toward service benefits?

Yes, since it is paid leave, it counts as active service and does not affect gratuity or other end-of-service calculations.