What is the process and eligibility criteria for taking bereavement leave in Saudi Arabia, and how is pay calculated?

Effective February 2025, in Saudi Arabia, supported employees are eligible for three days of paid bereavement leave upon the death of an immediate family member, including siblings. This leave entitlement reflects a recent amendment that broadens the definition of immediate family to include siblings. Pay for bereavement leave during this period is calculated as regular paid leave.

What is the process and eligibility criteria for taking educational leave in Saudi Arabia, and how is pay calculated?

In Saudi Arabia, supported employees enrolled in an educational institution are eligible for educational leave based on certain conditions:

• If the employee is approved by their employer for enrollment or continuation in an educational institution, they are entitled to paid leave covering the actual number of examination days for a non-repeated year.
• If the examination involves a repeated year, the employee is eligible only for unpaid leave for the examination days. Employers may proceed with disciplinary actions if it is discovered that the employee did not participate in the examinations.
• If an employee enrolls without obtaining their employer's consent, the examination leave days are deducted from the employee’s annual leave balance. If no annual leave is available, the absence is recorded as unpaid leave for the actual examination days.

The process for applying for educational leave requires employees to:

• Submit a leave application at least 15 days prior to the examination date.
• Provide supporting documents and verification of examination participation upon the employer's request. If it is confirmed that the employee did not take the examination, payment for those leave days will be denied.

This ensures that supported employees can manage their educational commitments alongside their professional responsibilities under the established guidelines.

What is the process and eligibility criteria for taking religion-related leave in Saudi Arabia, and how is pay calculated?

Employees in Saudi Arabia are entitled to religion-related leave to perform Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, along with the Eid Al-Adha holiday. The details for this leave are as follows:

• Length of Leave: Employees receive 10 to 15 days of leave.
• Eligibility Criteria:

- An employee must have completed at least 2 consecutive years with the same employer.

- The employee must not have previously performed Hajj.

• Application Rules:

- This leave can only be granted once during an employee's service with the same employer.

- Employers have the discretion to limit the number of employees who can take this leave each year based on work requirements.

• Pay Calculation: This leave is fully paid, meaning the employee's regular salary is maintained during the entire leave period.

What are the length, eligibility criteria, application rules, and pay calculation for marriage leave in Saudi Arabia?

In Saudi Arabia, the updated Labor Law (Article 113) stipulates that supported employees are entitled to 5 days of paid marriage leave, which can be taken once during their employment with a customer. This leave is distinct from their annual leave. For instance, if a supported employee requires 10 days off for marriage, 5 days will be covered under marriage leave, while the remaining 5 days will be deducted from their annual leave balance.

To be eligible for marriage leave, supported employees should notify their employer of the upcoming marriage at the earliest opportunity. There is no requirement for documentation; notifying the employer via email is sufficient for the application of marriage leave.

How long is unpaid leave in Saudi Arabia, and what is the process and eligibility criteria for taking it?

In Saudi Arabia, under Saudi Labor Law, unpaid leave is limited to a maximum of 30 days per year unless a different arrangement is mutually agreed upon by the employer and employee. The specific terms and conditions for unpaid leave often depend on the internal policies of each company.

The process for taking unpaid leave includes submitting a formal request. Employees typically need to submit this application at least 15 days in advance to accommodate proper planning by the employer.

Eligibility for unpaid leave requires the employee to have completed 1 year of continuous service. It is important to note that eligibility criteria may differ based on the company's specific policies.