Sharjah Executive Council approves "Care Leave”

The council addressed several topics related to the organisation and monitoring of government departments and entities across the emirate, and reviewed key developmental strategies aimed at raising the quality of services provided in Sharjah.

New parental care leave policy approved

In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Executive Council approved amendments to Resolution No. (12) of 2021, which pertains to the executive regulations of Law No. (6) of 2015 on human resources in Sharjah.
Under the new policy, a female employee who gives birth to a child with a medical condition or disability requiring constant care will be eligible for fully paid care leave following maternity leave. The key provisions include:

1. A medical report must be submitted from an authorised medical body.
2. The care leave will last one year with full pay after maternity leave ends.
3. The leave may be extended annually for up to three years with the relevant authority's approval and a supporting medical report.
4. Should the child’s health improve, the authority may terminate the leave based on medical recommendations.
5. Employee performance during care leave will be evaluated under the existing performance management framework.
6. If the leave exceeds three years, the case will be referred to the Higher Committee for Human Resources.
7. The care leave will be counted as part of the employee's total service.
Executive regulations for military HR endorsed
The council also issued a resolution regarding the executive regulations of Law No. (2) of 2021 concerning human resources for military personnel in Sharjah's regulatory bodies. The regulation includes comprehensive legal articles on terminology, application frameworks, job classification, recruitment, salary structures, allowances, promotions, and other employment benefits.

The council praised the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, aimed at enhancing the lives of citizens, providing a decent living, and supporting the police forces, which reflects on the quality of security agencies in the emirate and motivates their members to improve security work. This is achieved through the adoption of regulations and systems that organise the work of the military in the emirate. The council also expressed its gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for his directives to abolish the ranks of Chief Assistant and Head of Assistants, and to proceed with adjusting the ranks of those concerned from Chief Assistant to Assistant Officer, totaling 1,232 from the ranks of military regulatory bodies, and to disburse the entitlements of those covered by the decision retroactively from last March.

It further outlines mechanisms related to internal transfers, training, educational leave, performance appraisals, job responsibilities and restrictions, end-of-service processes, and associated benefits, along with relevant annexes and templates.

Focus on district councils and social initiatives

The council reviewed a detailed report on the performance of district councils and plans for expansion across cities within the emirate. It also assessed various community-focused initiatives designed to strengthen social cohesion and elevate public cultural awareness through the vital role of these councils.