Breakdown
How it works
Most GCC employers divide monthly salary by 30 to get a daily rate regardless of the month's length; Kuwait uses 26 working days. A few use actual calendar days, which gives a smaller deduction in 31-day months. Unpaid leave also reduces gratuity service in the UAE and Qatar.
Formula
Worked example
AED 9,000 salary, 5 days unpaid: ÷30 → AED 1,500 deducted; calendar basis in a 31-day month → AED 1,452.
Frequently asked questions
Can the employer deduct weekends within the leave?
If the unpaid leave spans a weekend, most employers deduct the calendar days including the weekend. Check your HR policy.
Does unpaid leave affect my leave accrual?
Yes — annual leave accrues on paid service only, so a month of unpaid leave removes 2.5 days of accrual.
Is unpaid leave a right?
No — it is at the employer's discretion in all GCC states, except statutory unpaid leaves such as extended maternity or study leave in some laws.