When Are You Request Emergency Leave in Saudi Labor Law?

Emergency leave in Saudi labor law is one of the rights granted by the Saudi Labor Law to employees in both public and private sectors. It allows workers to be absent from work when sudden circumstances arise that require their attention, giving them the flexibility to handle unexpected situations without losing their salary.

In line with the Ministry of Human Resources’ efforts to balance work requirements with employees’ personal lives, the regulations outline the details of emergency leave, specifying its conditions and rules to protect the rights of both parties and ensure business continuity.

Emergency Leave in Saudi Labor

The Saudi Labor Law places great emphasis on employee rights, including the right to take leaves, which aim to balance work requirements with personal circumstances. Among the types of leave specified in the law is emergency leave, which allows an employee to be absent from work for a short period due to urgent and unforeseen circumstances, such as family or health-related emergencies.

Emergency leave in Saudi labor is a paid leave with a maximum duration of five days per fiscal year of the organization, and the following conditions must be met to obtain it:

1. A valid and urgent reason for absence, such as the death of a close relative or a medical emergency requiring hospital attendance.
2. Compliance with the fiscal year of the company, as the leave is counted within that annual period.
3. Adherence to the specified duration (five days maximum).
4. Submitting a formal request for leave on the same day the employee needs to be absent.
5. Obtaining management approval beforehand or immediately in case of urgency.
6. Attaching supporting documents such as a death certificate or medical report.
7. Ensuring no conflict with other types of leave stipulated under Saudi labor law, such as sick leave.

It is worth noting that the Saudi Labor Law does not strictly define the criteria for emergency leave, leaving room for flexibility between the employer and employee to agree on cases that warrant such leave in a way that serves the interest of both parties.

Read also: Article 109 Saudi Labor Law: Employee Leave Rights & Benefits

Emergency Leave Reasons

Saudi labor regulations grant employees the right to request emergency leave in Saudi labor when they face unexpected or uncontrollable circumstances, provided that they formally notify their employer. The most common reasons for requesting such leave include:

• Urgent health issues affecting the employee or a close family member, requiring immediate care or medical attention.
• Critical family circumstances, such as the death of a first-degree relative or situations that demand the employee’s presence with their family.
• Unexpected incidents or accidents that prevent the employee from attending work or fulfilling their duties.
• Pressing legal obligations that require the employee’s personal attendance, such as appearing before official authorities or courts.

Check out: Sick Leave Saudi Labor Law: Know Your Esential Rights

Steps to Apply for Emergency Leave

To obtain emergency leave in Saudi workplaces, an employee must follow certain organized steps to ensure approval of the request, which include:

• Submitting an official request: The employee must submit a leave application to the HR department or the designated authority within the company.
• Providing a valid reason: The employee should clearly state the reason for requesting the leave, attaching any required documents or evidence such as medical reports or death certificates when necessary.
• Complying with internal policies: The employee must adhere to the company’s internal regulations regarding conditions for approving emergency leave.
• Awaiting official approval: After submitting the request, the employee must wait for the manager or relevant authority’s response, as the management has the right to approve or deny the leave based on business needs.

When Can the Manager Reject Emergency Leave?

According to Saudi labor law, an employer or manager can reject an emergency leave request in specific situations related to the company’s interest, such as:

• Impact on workflow: If the employee’s absence would disrupt operations or cause a staff shortage.
• Lack of a valid reason: If the employee fails to provide a clear justification or supporting documents for the leave.
• Exceeding the allowed limit: When the employee has already exceeded the maximum number of emergency leave days permitted by company policy.
• Late submission: If the employee submits the request after the acceptable timeframe stated in the internal regulations.
• Workload pressure: When the company is under heavy workload and it is difficult to manage tasks without the employee.

Emergency Exit Visa Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, there is no official visa called an “emergency exit visa,” but residents can leave the country in urgent situations by applying for an Exit and Re-Entry Visa or a Final Exit Visa, depending on whether they plan to return.

The process has become easier with digital platforms like Absher and Muqeem, where applications can be completed online by checking the validity of the Iqama, passport, and settling any pending dues or fines.

For final exit, the employer usually initiates the visa process, but recent reforms allow eligible workers to apply independently when their contracts end.

In emergencies, such as the death of a relative or medical crises, residents can also contact the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) or their embassy for urgent support. Thus, while there is no separate “emergency” visa, Saudi exit systems are flexible enough to address urgent needs if all conditions are met.

Learn about: Guide To Saudi Labor Law Termination of Contract by Employee

Conclusion

Emergency leave in Saudi labor law reflects the legislator’s commitment to achieving a true balance between work requirements and the employee’s personal needs. It can be affirmed that regulating emergency leave under this law supports both employers and employees by providing clear guidelines. Additionally, it is important to consult with specialized lawyers from Etqan Law Firm to obtain the best legal guidance when applying for leave.

The Etqan Al Mutamayza Law Firm is ready to provide the essential support you need. You can reach their team at the following mobile numbers: +966550600204, +966551020060.

Additionally, feel free to visit our branches located at:

• Jeddah: Al-Aziziyah District, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Tahlia)
• Riyadh: King Abdulaziz Street, across from the Kingdom Tower
• Dammam: Al-Ashri’a Street, Al-Badeea, Dammam 32415.

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