Maternity Leave Benefit: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Understand your rights regarding the 12 weeks of paid maternity leave available to female employees in Saudi Arabia.
This scheme provides female employees with a period of paid time off to care for their newborn baby.
Who it's for
This benefit is designed specifically for female employees working within the labor market. If you are a woman currently employed, you are the intended recipient of this maternity protection.
What you get
The primary benefit is 12 weeks of maternity leave. This is a paid leave period, meaning you will receive your salary during this time to support yourself and your newborn.
What it costs you
There is no monetary cost to you for accessing this benefit. Instead, the "cost" is simply the continuation of your salary throughout the leave period. You should receive your regular pay as you normally would while you are away from your duties.
The catch to know
The most important thing to understand is how this leave interacts with your other time-off entitlements. This 12-week maternity leave is a standalone benefit. It is entirely separate from your annual leave. This means your employer is not permitted to deduct these 12 weeks from your total annual leave balance; they must be treated as a distinct period of time.
How to apply
Since this is a standard employment benefit, the process typically involves these steps:
- Check your employment status to ensure you are classified as a female employee.
- Discuss your upcoming leave requirements with your employer or HR representative.
- Follow your company's internal procedures for requesting time off.
- Ensure you understand how your salary will be managed during the 12-week period.