Working Time and Leaves – ADGM Employment Regulations 2024

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has outlined key provisions under Part 4 of the Employment Regulations 2024, addressing working time, leave entitlements, and related obligations. The following are the key provisions:

Working Hours and Rest Periods:

1. Maximum Weekly Working Time: Employees must not work more than 48 hours per week without written consent. Overtime may apply per Registrar guidelines.

2.Excessive Hours: Employers must not impose working hours that endanger employees’ health or safety.

3. Daily and Weekly Rest:

✔️Minimum 11 consecutive hours of daily rest.

✔️Minimum 24 consecutive hours of weekly rest.

Special Working Hours:

1.Ramadan Hours: Muslim employees’ working hours must be reduced by 25% daily during Ramadan, with no impact on wages.

2.Breaks:

✔️Employees working more than six hours daily are entitled to at least one hour of rest/prayer breaks.

✔️Post-maternity, nursing mothers are granted an additional one-hour nursing break for nine months after childbirth.

Vacation and Holiday Leave

1.Annual Vacation Leave:

✔️Minimum of 20 working days of paid leave per year.

✔️Employees may carry forward unused leave for up to 12 months (minimum of 5 days must be allowed).

2.Payment in Lieu: not allowed only in two situations, upon termination of employment or through mutual agreement.

3.Leave Approval: Employer’s consent is required for taking vacation; however, employers may mandate leave dates with seven days’ notice.

4.First Year of Employment: Leave accrues monthly (1/12th per month).

Other Leave Entitlements:

1.National Holidays:

✔️Employees are entitled to paid leave on UAE-declared public holidays.

✔️If working on a holiday, employees must receive additional compensation or a day off in lieu.

2. Special Leave for Hajj: Muslim employees with at least one year of continuous service are entitled to 30 days of unpaid leave for Hajj once during employment.

3. Bereavement Leave: Five working days of paid leave upon the death of a spouse, parent, child, or sibling.

4.Sick Leave:

✔️Up to 60 working days per year.

✔️First 10 days: 100% wage

✔️Next 20 days: 50% wage

✔️Final 30 days: Unpaid

✔️Notification and medical certificates are required for sick leave.

5. National and Reserve Service: Employers and employees must comply with applicable laws on national and reserve military service.

6. Compliance and Penalties: Employers failing to comply with the above provisions may be liable to fines up to Level 3 under the Standard Fines Scale.