Can employer in UAE deny annual leave? Here's what the law says
Answer: It is assumed that the mainland company you are employed with is employing more than 50 employees.
In the UAE, it is at the discretion of an employer to determine the annual leave dates of its employees based on operational requirements or in mutual agreement with the employees. An employer must inform an employee of their annual leave dates (start date and end date) at least one month before the annual leave commences.
This is by Article 29 (4) of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations, which states, 'The employee shall use his leave in the year of entitlement. The employer may fix the dates of leave according to the work requirements and in agreement with the employee, or rotate leaves among employees for the smooth progress of work, and shall notify the employee of the date of his leave at least (1) one month before the same.'
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Furthermore, an employer may not prevent an employee from availing of annual leave that has been carried over for more than two years unless the employee chooses to postpone it or receive a cash allowance instead of the annual leave, according to the HR/internal policies in place at the workplace and applicable regulations.
This is by the Article 29 (8) of the UAE Employment Law, 'The employer may not prevent the employee from benefiting from his annual leave accrued for more than two years unless the employee wishes to carry it forward or receive a cash allowance for it, by the regulations in force at the establishment and the Implementing Regulation hereof.'
Based on the aforementioned provisions of the UAE Employment Law, your employer may reject a leave request if it overlaps with the pre-approved leave of other employees and affects the smooth functioning of your employer. Therefore, you may discuss the matter with your employer and consider suggesting alternative dates or adjusting the dates of your vacation which are acceptable to your employer.
Ashish Mehta is the founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He is qualified to practise law in Dubai, the United Kingdom and India. Full details of his firm on: www.amalawyers.com. Readers may e-mail their questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or send them to Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
a minute ago
- Khaleej Times
India's Titan to acquire majority stake in Dubai's Damas for over Dh1 billion
India's Titan Company on Monday said it would acquire a majority stake in UAE's Damas LLC, the current holding company for Damas jewellery business in GCC countries, from Mannai Corporation for an enterprise value of Dh1.038 billion. Titan Holdings will hold 67 per cent of the equity share capital and voting rights in Damas. It hopes to complete acquisition by January 31, 2026. It will have the right to acquire the remaining 33 per cent stake after December 31, 2029, it said in a statement to the National Stock Exchange, where it is listed. The acquisition will facilitate the fashion accessories manufacturer's expansion across six GCC countries. Founded in 1907 in Dubai, Damas has a network presence of 146 stores across GCC. Mannai Corporation is a publicly listed company headquartered in Qatar with activities mainly focused on the business-to-business segment based on trade and IT services. 'After successfully establishing Tanishq in GCC countries and the USA, our ambition for a global jewellery play is moving to the next stage. With the Damas acquisition, Titan Company is stepping out from its diaspora focus into other nationalities and ethnicities,' said CK Venkataraman, managing director of Titan. 'The acquisition not only creates a significant new global opportunity for Titan, but also enhances Titan's overall position in the jewellery market in GCC countries and brings in multiple synergy benefits in talent, retail networks and supply chain,' Venkataraman said. Alekh Grewal, group CEO of Mannai Corporation, said Damas became a subsidiary of Mannai in 2012, and the time has come for investment in the next phase of its expansion in the region. 'We are confident that the combination of Damas and Titan will drive Damas in the next chapter of its growth trajectory in the GCC. Mannai will continue to own a minority stake in Damas for the next four years as growth plans for Damas are taken forward. It is intended that the proceeds of the sale transaction will be deployed by Mannai to strengthen its resources in support of further expansion of its core trade and IT services businesses, in addition to reducing the group debt,' said Grewal. As per the proposed transaction, Signature Jewellery Holding Limited, a DIFC company, will become a holding company after acquiring the fully-paid shares of Damas LLC and its subsidiaries. Damas recorded a turnover of Dh1.461 billion in 2024. The acquisition would be subject to certain conditions and regulatory requirements.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
5 minutes ago
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Galeries Lafayette Dubai Makes Indulgence the Season's Best Accessory
Because sometimes, the most tasteful thing you can do is take your time. If you're looking for a reason to spend a little extra time at The Dubai Mall this summer, Galeries Lafayette just gave you one. The iconic department store has launched Tasteful, a multi-sensory in-store campaign that runs until the end of July – and it's as stylish as it is smartly curated. Designed to celebrate the art of indulgence, Tasteful is about taking a moment to enjoy the finer things – whether that's discovering a new signature scent, investing in a standout piece for the season, or slowing down for lunch somewhere that actually feels worth it. With surreal visual installations, experiential beauty stations, and personal styling zones dotted throughout the space, the campaign invites visitors to explore fashion, fragrance, and food in a way that feels fresh and effortless. The fashion edit is a highlight. Think Marni, Coperni, Cult Gaia, Ganni and more – designers who know how to strike the balance between directional and wearable. It's not about head-to-toe looks, it's about mixing and matching standout pieces that speak to your personal style. From oversized silhouettes to structured tailoring, the focus is on confidence and individuality. Beauty lovers won't be left behind either. The fragrance and skincare selection spans everything from cult favourites like Kilian, Fugazzi, and Maison Crivelli to the newly launched Prada Beauty. It's less about the hard sell, more about playful discovery – and the kind of in-store experience that reminds you why beauty shopping used to be fun. Of course, all of this is best enjoyed with a break in between. That's where Le Gourmet comes in, Galeries Lafayette's dedicated food hall on the second floor. It's the kind of space that makes it easy to turn a quick shop into a full-day affair before hitting the next edit. Even the practical details have been thought through. With digital gift cards and same-day delivery available across the UAE, Galeries Lafayette makes it easy to shop on your own terms whether you're browsing in-store or sending a last-minute gift to someone else. If you're after an excuse to treat yourself this season – this is it.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai office market shows early signs of rate stabilisation
Rents for prime office spaces in Dubai have risen 36 per cent compared to last year, data showed on Monday. New findings from Savills latest Dubai Office Market in Minutes report for Q2 2025 indicate a shift from last year's pattern of across-the-board rental growth, with signs that rents are beginning to level out in several submarkets. At the same time, the market continues to see strong appetite for larger office spaces and an evolving mix of future supply, marking a noticeable change from the trends observed in 2024. The report highlights that 11 of the 23 submarkets tracked by Savills saw no quarterly change in rents, a contrast to last year's steady and constant growth. This points to a more cautious approach by some occupiers as they wait for new developments to be delivered before committing to commercial space. Savills Middle East data also shows a clear shift in demand towards bigger spaces. In Q2 2025, 44 per cent of leasing enquiries were for offices between 10,000 and 20,000 sq ft, reflecting a move by new entrants and existing firms looking to expand their operations. By comparison, spaces below 10,000 sq ft accounted for 38 per cent of total demand. Toby Hall, Head of Commercial Agency at Savills Middle East said: 'We're seeing clear evidence that businesses continue to commit to Dubai, with larger footprint requirements becoming more common. Despite global economic headwinds, the city remains an attractive hub, supported by a strong pipeline of international companies establishing or growing their regional operations here.' Rachael Kennerley, Director of Research at Savills Middle East added: 'The stabilisation of rents in several submarkets suggests the market is entering a more balanced phase. While core areas remain in high demand, we're now seeing occupiers adopt more considered strategies, including securing future space in advance or exploring emerging locations with better affordability.' In another shift from previous years, Savills has observed traditionally residential developers now exploring strata office developments, which could bring more diversified ownership models and broaden the office landscape beyond the usual central business districts. This aligns with Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan, which seeks to build a 20-minute city with commercial activity spread across more areas. With recent rental rises still fresh in mind, more occupiers are now securing rights of first refusal on additional space within their existing buildings. This gives them the ability to grow as needed while maintaining the benefits of their current lease agreements. Looking ahead, Savills expects demand to increasingly spill over into locations such as Dubai South and Expo City, supported by the availability of larger spaces, more competitive rents, and improved transport links.
