Maternity Leave Benefits

Paid Maternity Leave

The revisions give working women the right to twelve weeks of paid maternity leave, with six weeks required after childbirth. The remaining six weeks can be used at the woman's discretion, starting four weeks before the expected delivery date.

Unpaid Leave Options

A certified medical certificate by a health authority specifies the expected delivery time. If the delivery is not on schedule, the remaining leave time, if less than six weeks, will be considered unpaid leave. In all circumstances, the working woman is entitled to a one-month unpaid leave extension.

Leave for Parents of Sick or Disabled Children

Working women are entitled to a month of paid leave following their maternity leave, which can be extended for an additional month without pay if they have a sick or disabled child requiring constant care.

Death and Compassionate Leave

Leave for Death of Sibling

The amendments include a three-day paid leave in the event of a brother or sister's death. This leave is calculated from the day of the incident.

Overtime and Holiday Work Compensation

The modifications introduced a clause allowing compensatory leave in exchange for working overtime. All working hours on holidays, including Eid, will be counted as overtime according to the new labor law amendments.

Marriage and Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to five days of fully paid leave upon marriage or in the event of a spouse's death.

Employment Contract Terms and Conditions

Probationary Period Clauses

If the contract's duration is unspecified, the procedure for determining its duration and how it will be renewed for non-Saudi workers is also established. The employment contract must state whether the worker is subject to a probationary period, with the overall duration not exceeding 180 days in all circumstances.

Contract Termination and Notice Periods

If the agreement is for an indefinite time and the worker receives a monthly income, either party may end it. However, the worker must give the employer 30 days' notice before the intended resignation date. The employer, in turn, must provide the employee with written notice at least 60 days before the termination date. If the employee is not paid monthly, a 30-day advance notice is still required by the party wishing to end the contract.

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