Saudi leave rights: annual, sick and family leave

Annual leave

The minimum is 21 paid days for each year, increasing to 30 after five consecutive years with the same employer. The employer may schedule leave for operational needs but must give at least 30 days' notice.

Unused accrued leave is paid when employment ends. During employment, the worker cannot simply waive the leave for cash. Carry-forward is controlled and longer employer postponement requires written worker consent.

Sick leave

With proven illness, the statutory sequence in one sick-leave year is 30 days at full pay, 60 days at three-quarters pay and 30 days without pay. These periods can be continuous or intermittent.

The employer may not terminate service because of illness before these statutory periods are exhausted. A worker may ask to combine annual leave with sick leave.

Marriage, bereavement, birth and Hajj

Marriage and the death of a spouse, parent or child provide five fully paid days. A sibling's death provides three days. The birth of a child provides three paid days within seven days of birth. The employer may ask for proof.

A Muslim worker who has not performed Hajj may receive 10–15 paid days once during service, including Eid al-Adha, after at least two consecutive years with the employer and subject to scheduling.

Maternity leave

Current Article 151 provides 12 weeks at full pay. Six weeks after delivery are compulsory; the other six may be distributed from up to four weeks before the expected delivery date, using a certified medical certificate.