Leave that is not recorded under its correct type shows up as absence in the attendance report, then as a deduction in the salary. This is a summary of the main leave types in the Saudi Labour Law, so each can be defined in your system as it is in the law.
Annual leave (Article 109)
- At least 21 days a year on full pay.
- Rising to 30 days once the worker has completed five consecutive years with the employer.
- Paid in advance; the employer may set the dates according to work requirements.
Holidays and Eids (Article 112)
A worker is entitled to leave on full pay on the Eids and occasions set by the Implementing Regulations, including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, National Day and Founding Day.
Leave for personal occasions (Article 113)
On full pay:
- 5 days on the worker’s marriage.
- 5 days on the death of a spouse, ascendant or descendant.
- 3 days on the birth of the worker’s child.
- Amendments to the law added 3 days on the death of a brother or sister.
Hajj leave (Article 114)
10 to 15 days including the Eid al-Adha holiday, once during service, for a worker who has completed at least two consecutive years and has not performed the Hajj before.
Sick leave (Article 117)
For a worker whose illness is proven, within one year:
| Period | Pay |
|---|---|
| First 30 days | Full pay |
| Next 60 days | Three quarters of pay |
| Following 30 days | Unpaid |
Maternity leave (Article 151)
After the amendments to the law, maternity leave is 12 weeks on full pay, six of them mandatory after delivery, with the rest distributed as the worker chooses. Confirm the text in force before applying it.
Leave on the death of a husband (Article 160)
A Muslim female worker whose husband dies is entitled to at least four months and ten days on full pay; a non-Muslim female worker to fifteen days.
What to set up in your system
- A type for every kind of leave, marked paid, unpaid or partly paid.
- The annual leave balance and its change after five years.
- A sick-leave counter within the year, because pay changes after day 30 and day 90.
- A clear approval route, so only approved leave reaches payroll.
The leave and approvals feature in IdaraSuite starts with these types already defined, and links approved leave to the attendance report and the salary.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and regulations change; refer to the official text in force or to a legal adviser before making a decision.