Do I get sick leave during my probation period in the UAE?

Under the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), the right to paid sick leave generally begins after you have completed your probation period. During probation, an employee is not entitled to the statutory paid sick leave in the same way, although an employer may grant sick leave without pay at its discretion, and a medical certificate is still advisable to document any absence. Once probation is successfully completed, you become entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave per year, paid in bands (the first 15 days at full wage, the next 30 at half wage, the rest unpaid). This means the protection and pay structure improve significantly after probation. If you are unwell during probation, notify your employer promptly and keep medical evidence, since unexplained absence during probation can affect your position. For questions about how probation interacts with your contract terms, you can raise them with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or consult verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.