74% of Fathers in UAE Say Employers Support Taking Paternity Leave

More fathers in the UAE are feeling supported in taking time off to care for their families, with 74% saying their employers encourage them to use paternity leave, according to an impact report released by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority.

Fathers across the country's public and private sectors are entitled to five days of fully paid paternity leave. However, the authority noted that concerns around workload, career progression and workplace perceptions continue to discourage some men from using parental leave or flexible working arrangements.

Introduced by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority in 2021 and expanded nationwide a year later, the Parent-friendly Label recognises employers that adopt family-oriented policies, including flexible working arrangements and maternity leave of at least 90 days.

Some organisations participating in the initiative offer benefits that go beyond statutory requirements. Procter & Gamble and SLB provide eight weeks of paid paternity leave, while HSBC offers four weeks and Kraft Heinz grants three weeks alongside additional flexibility.

According to the authority, attitudes among fathers are gradually shifting towards greater involvement in caregiving, though longstanding expectations around prioritising work continue to influence decisions about taking leave.

Since its launch, the Parent-friendly Label programme has supported more than 175,000 working parents across the UAE.