Falling sick is part of life, and sometimes one needs to take sick leaves at work to regain their strength and health. Sick leave is not a courtesy but the right of an employee, according to various labour laws across different countries including the UAE.
However, getting sick leave is not as easy as just informing your employer that you are taking some sick leave, instead, it involves following proper protocol with proper documentation in place.
One of the very important documents is the medical certificate, which is an official proof of you being ill. Getting a medical certificate in the UAE isn’t just a formality, rather, it is legally required under the Federal Labour Law. The certificate verifies that you could not work for health reasons and highlights transparency between the two parties involved – the employer and the employee.
This blog will walk you through the necessary steps and requirements to obtain a sick leave medical certificate in the UAE. We will learn about the importance and legal implications of a medical certificate.
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What is Sick Leave?
Sick leave refers to the period for which an employee is granted permission to be absent from work due to health issues. It is one of the legal benefits provided for an employee’s recovery without losing their job.
In the case of the UAE, according to the Federal Labour Law, the rights of the employees are protected, including paid or unpaid sick leaves depending upon various conditions.
The employers may have their own procedures to clarify how the sick leaves are managed including specific documentation that may be required to get approval for sick leave. Employees working in Dubai should therefore be educated on these policies and follow them to ensure smooth approval of the leave.
What Is a Medical Certificate?
A medical certificate is an important document issued by a registered doctor stating that the individual presenting the certificate has been examined and is found to be medically unwell or injured. In other words, it verifies that an individual was unfit to work for medical reasons for a specified period.
The certificate generally contains the nature of the illness or injury and the recommended rest and recovery period. A medical certificate is an official document employees and students use to justify their absence from work or school for a specific period.
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What Does a Medical Certificate Include?
- Patient’s name and identification information.
- The date of the consultation.
- The details of the diagnosis (if applicable, depending on cases of privacy).
- Duration of sick leave requested.
- Stamp and signature of the issuing doctor or hospital.
A medical certificate is what the employers and regulatory bodies use to verify whether legitimacy of sick leave.
Why Do You Need a Medical Certificate for Sick Leave in the UAE?
In the UAE, one has to present a valid medical certificate when applying for sick leave. Here’s why:
- Employer Requirement – In the UAE, most employers require a medical certificate to confirm the legitimacy of an employee’s sick leave. This helps in maintaining transparency and ensuring that the leave is not being misused.
- Required Under UAE Labour Law – Article 31 of the UAE Labor Law states that an employee, after serving the probationary period, is eligible for sick leave if he produces a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner. Otherwise, the request for sick leave may be declined.
- For Approval of Sick Leave Application – A certified medical certificate will greatly support your claim and raise the chances of your application being approved by your employer.
- Prevent Abuse of Sick Leave – A medical certificate is issued only by a doctor after the examination so employers and other responsible authorities can be sure that the candidate was legitimately sick and unable to fulfil their duty, preventing the abuse of sick leave programs.
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Conditions to Be Met for Obtaining a Medical Certificate
Acquiring a medical certificate is a straightforward task, however, there are certain regulations to be followed by the candidates if they need official medical certificates.
Some of the important conditions are as follows;
- Consult a Registered Healthcare Professional – Make sure that you consult a doctor or go to a clinic or hospital registered with the UAE Ministry of Health or the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
- Early Consultation – Consult the doctor on the very day when you start feeling unwell or as soon as possible. You may be refused a certificate due to delays from your end, and in that case, your sick leave request may raise suspicions.
- Compliance with Employer Policy – Obey your employer’s specific rules on notification of the illness and filing of the necessary documents within the agreed time frame.
- Accuracy of Information – Offer correct personal and medical information so that there will be no discrepancies that could void the medical certificate.
Different Medical Conditions to Qualify for a Medical Certificate
A medical certificate for sick leave in the UAE will be granted to the candidates if they meet certain health requirements. Some of the common medical conditions under which the certificate is issued are as follows;
- The common cold or flu
- Contagious illnesses like COVID-19 or chickenpox
- Respiratory diseases such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
- Digestive issues like gastroenteritis and food poisoning
- Musculoskeletal injuries like sprains and strains
- Chronic diseases, either diabetes or asthma
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Duration of Sick Leave for Employees in the UAE
The length of sick leave in the UAE is dependent on the situation at work and the period of service with the employer.
Eligibility and Duration
- Permanent Full-time Employees – Employees are entitled to 90 days of sick leave per year after they have served their probationary period.
The sick leave and salary are allocated as such:
- During the first 15 days, the full salary is paid.
- Employees are paid half of their salary for the next 30 days
- The last 45 days are unpaid.
- Probationary Employees – Probationary employees typically are not entitled to paid sick leave, although they could be granted unpaid leave at the discretion of the employer.
- Work-Related Illness or Injury – Under UAE labour laws, there are specific provisions relating to compensation and extended leave for illnesses or injuries resulting from work conditions.
How to Get a Medical Certificate for Sick Leave in Dubai?
Candidates looking to obtain a medical certificate for sick leave in the UAE need to visit a medical professional for consultation and get certain tests done if necessary.
The medical certificate will justify their absence from work. Following are the steps to be followed to get a medical certificate for sick leave in Dubai;
- Visit a Healthcare Facility – Get an appointment at an accredited clinic or hospital. Ensure the healthcare facility is licensed by the Ministry of Health, DHA, or the Abu Dhabi Department of Health.
- Consult a Doctor – Explain your symptoms and concerns during the consultation. The doctor will conduct a medical checkup and decide if you are fit to obtain sick leave.
- Demand a Medical Certificate – If the physician advises sick leave, ask for a medical certificate. Ensure it contains all the relevant information like the reason and duration of the leave along with the physician’s signature.
- Submit the Certificate – Submit it to your employer according to the company’s policy on taking sick leave.
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What is a Medical Certificate Attestation?
If a medical certificate is required to be submitted in an office for official purposes, such as immigration, visa process or cross-border employment, then it needs the attestation stamp. Attested certificates are accepted as originals and legal, hence suitable for use in a foreign country.
Following are the steps of Medical Certificate Attestation in Dubai;
- Verification by the Issuing Authority – The first step is to make sure that the clinic or hospital where the certificate was issued has verified it with their stamp.
- Ministry of Health Attestation – Medical certificate is then submitted to the UAE Ministry of Health for primary attestation.
- MOFA Attestation – The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation is the final step in the process of validating the medical certificate for international or governmental purposes.
Use only authorised agencies for the attestation process. The attestation service providers make the process easier while ensuring that your document meets the necessary legal and procedural requirements.
You can use SEPL Dubai for all your attestation and apostille needs in Dubai including medical certificate attestation.
Conclusion
Getting a medical certificate for sick leave in Dubai is relatively easy if you do the right thing and follow the legal and organisational procedures in place. Consulting a licensed healthcare provider and getting the duly attested certificate will easily earn you the medical certificate per the UAE Labour Law.
Whether you are an employee who wants to acquire a sick leave approval or you need the medical certificate for other official purposes, understanding the procedure and how to apply for it will ensure a hassle-free experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do I need a medical certificate?
A medical certificate is needed to apply for sick leave in Dubai. Issued by a registered doctor, a medical certificate verifies your inability to work due to health conditions or injury.
- Will I get paid if I am out on sick leave?
According to UAE labour laws, permanent employees are provided 90 days of sick leave per year. Employees will get paid while they are recovering from their sickness.
- Full salary will be paid for the first 30 days
- Half payment of salary will be provided for the next 15 days
- Unpaid leave for the next 45 days
- Where can I obtain a medical certificate from?
You can visit the public health centres operated by the DHA or the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company to obtain a medical certificate. On the contrary, you can also get the certificate from private hospitals, medical clinics and so on.
- Does the medical certificate require attestation?
Attestation of a medical certificate depends on the purpose of the certificate. If you are using it to secure leave from work then it does not have to be attested. But, if it is to be submitted to a government agency for any reason then it will need to be attested.
- Can Employees Take Health-Related Leaves Without Providing a Medical Certificate?
No, for leaves on health grounds extending over two consecutive days or on more than two different occasions in one month, employees must provide a medical certificate issued by a UAE-approved medical facility.