How UAE Annual Leave Works for Part-Time Employees
October 23, 2026
Part-time employees in the UAE generally have their annual leave entitlement scaled proportionally to their contracted working hours relative to a full-time role — a similar scaling approach to how part-time gratuity is pro-rated, covered elsewhere in this series.
Skip the math and get your answer instantly:
Open the UAE Annual Leave Calculator →Worked Example
A part-time employee working 20 hours/week, against a full-time standard of 40 hours/week (a 0.5 ratio), after completing one year of service:
- Full-time entitlement: 30 days/year
- Scaled part-time entitlement: 30 × 0.5 = 15 days/year
Confirm the Exact Scaling Method
The precise scaling approach (hours-based, days-based, or another method) can depend on the specific part-time contract structure — checking the contract or with HR for exactly how leave is scaled avoids assuming a simple hours-ratio applies universally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do part-time UAE employees get the full 30-day leave entitlement?
Generally no — it's typically scaled proportionally to contracted hours relative to a full-time role.
What's the scaled entitlement for a 20-hour/week part-time role after 1 year?
15 days/year (30 × 0.5, using a 40-hour full-time standard).
Is the scaling method the same for every part-time contract?
The exact method can vary by contract structure — confirm the specific approach with your employer.
Is this similar to how part-time gratuity works?
Yes — both use a similar proportional-scaling approach relative to a full-time equivalent.