Navigating the professional world in the UAE can be complex, especially for expats, HR professionals, and business owners trying to stay compliant with local labor laws. From understanding working time, gratuity, and EPFO login, to calculating maternity leave, paternity leave, and reimbursements in the UAE, it’s essential to stay up-to-date on everything related to employment.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through essential HR topics using the latest UAE labor laws, highlight upcoming UAE holidays, and introduce Token Talent, a modern employee management platform designed to simplify compliance and streamline HR processes in the UAE and across the GCC.
Upcoming Holidays in UAE
Whether you’re an employee planning your leave or an employer planning payroll, staying informed about the next holiday in UAE is essential.
Next Public Holiday in UAE (2025)
The Islamic New Year holiday in UAE is the next major event, expected to fall on July 26, 2025 (subject to moon sighting). The New Year holiday in UAE and Dubai public holidays are observed across both public and private sectors.
Tip: Token Talent’s smart calendar feature automatically marks all UAE national holidays, helping teams track leave balances efficiently.
Working Time & Leave Policies
Understanding working time regulations is crucial for calculating overtime and planning shifts. According to UAE labor law:
- Normal working hours are 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week.
- During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours per day.
- Overtime calculation in UAE must follow Ministry guidelines, often paid at 125% to 150% of the base rate.
Annual Leave
Employees are entitled to 30 calendar days of annual leave after one year of service.
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave per year, after completing a probation period.
Maternity Leave in UAE
Female employees are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave—45 days with full pay and 15 with half pay.
Paternity Leave in UAE
Fathers can avail 5 days of paternity leave, to be taken within six months of childbirth.
Token Talent makes leave applications easier, with automated approvals, tracking, and WPS-compliant reporting.
Salaries, Gratuity, and Reimbursements
Knowing how to handle compensation correctly prevents compliance issues and enhances employee trust.
How to Calculate Gratuity in UAE
Gratuity depends on the tenure of the employee:
- 21 days of basic pay for each year of service (1–5 years)
- 30 days of basic pay per year after 5 years
Use Token Talent’s built-in gratuity calculator to automate these calculations.
Remuneration Meaning
Remuneration refers to the total compensation an employee receives, including salary, bonuses, and benefits.
Reimbursement in UAE
Employees may claim reimbursements for business-related expenses. Reimbursement meaning in HR involves refunding approved out-of-pocket costs.
Salary Certificate Format
Need a salary certificate for a bank or visa? Token Talent generates customized, professional salary certificate formats at a click.
Performance, KPIs & Appraisals
KPI (Key Performance Indicator)
These are measurable goals used to evaluate employee performance. Example: Monthly sales targets for a sales executive.
Appraisal Meaning
An appraisal is the formal evaluation of an employee’s performance, often linked to salary increment letters or promotions.
Token Talent allows HR teams to define KPIs, track progress, and manage performance appraisals seamlessly.
Popular Job Roles and Descriptions in UAE
Sales Executive
- Responsible for selling company products/services
- Must meet targets (KPIs) and provide client support
Sales executive job description templates are available in Token Talent’s job library.
Document Controller Job Description
- Manages company records, contracts, and policies
- Ensures compliance and version control
Customer Service Job Descriptions
Looking to hire? Use Token Talent’s AI-powered job description builder to attract the right candidates.
HR Terms Explained
- EPFO login / EPFO employee login: Refers to access for Indian expats managing pensions and PF online.
- CTC meaning: Cost to Company – total value of salary + benefits
- Incentive meaning: Monetary or non-monetary rewards based on performance
- Induction meaning: Orientation program for new hires
- Abscond meaning: When an employee leaves the job without informing the employer
- Expat meaning: A person living and working in a country where they are not a citizen
- Gen Z meaning: Generation born between 1997–2012, tech-savvy and purpose-driven
- Nepotism meaning: Favoritism based on relationships in hiring or promotions
- Tenure meaning: Length of time an employee has served in a company
UAE Visa & Job Market Updates
- New visa rules in UAE (2025) simplify job switching and residence permits for skilled professionals.
- Explore top UAE job sites like Bayt, Naukrigulf, and LinkedIn for listings.
- The average salary in UAE varies by industry but remains competitive globally.
Why Choose Token Talent for HR & Payroll in UAE?
Token Talent is the go-to HR solution for businesses in the UAE looking to stay compliant, streamline operations, and engage employees effectively. Whether you’re managing:
- WPS meaning and bank transfers,
- Leave and holiday management,
- Performance evaluations, or
- Recruitment and onboarding
Token Talent has the tools you need.
Try Token Talent today to automate HR, simplify payroll, and keep your team engaged!
Conclusion
Understanding UAE labor law, tracking public holidays, and managing HR terms like gratuity, reimbursements, annual leave, or probation period can be overwhelming—unless you have the right tools.
With Token Talent, HR becomes not just easier, but smarter.
