Public Holidays, Weekends in Oman, and Leave Types in Oman: A Complete Guide 2025

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Weekends in Oman

In Oman, the weekend falls on Friday and Saturday, aligning with most countries in the Gulf region. Friday is considered a holy day for Muslims, a day dedicated to prayer and spiritual reflection, as well as spending time with family. Saturday complements Friday and provides additional time for rest or personal activities.

The Importance of Friday in Oman

Friday in Oman is not only a weekend day but also a religious day. The day begins with the Jumu'ah prayer, which is held in the mosque. After the prayers, families and friends often gather for meals, rest, or leisure activities. Friday is a time for reflection, and many Omanis use the day to connect with their faith and community.

Weekend Activities in Oman

Oman’s weekends offer opportunities for locals and expatriates alike to enjoy the country’s natural beauty and engage in traditional activities. Popular weekend activities include:

1. Exploring Oman’s deserts, such as the Wahiba Sands
2. Hiking in the Hajar Mountains
3. Visiting Muscat’s beaches and forts
4. Shopping at traditional markets like Mutrah Souq

Working Hours in Oman

In Oman, working hours are an important aspect of labor laws, ensuring a balanced work-life environment for employees while maintaining productivity. Understanding the regulations around working hours, as well as the cultural and legal expectations in Oman, is crucial for both employers and employees.

Standard Working Hours in Oman

The standard working hours in Oman are typically defined by the Omani Labor Law. Most employees work eight hours a day, six days a week, which amounts to 48 hours per week. However, there are specific guidelines and exceptions based on the nature of work, industry, and public holidays.

Working Hours During Ramadan

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, working hours in Oman are adjusted to accommodate fasting schedules. Employees who observe fasting typically work reduced hours.

1. Private Sector: The working hours for private sector employees are reduced to six hours per day, or 36 hours per week.
2. Public Sector: For government employees, working hours are generally cut to five hours per day during Ramadan, with the total working hours not exceeding 30 hours per week.

Employers are encouraged to make these adjustments to help employees manage fasting and work responsibilities without affecting their well-being.

Overtime Regulations

Overtime is defined as work performed beyond the standard working hours. In Oman, overtime is allowed but is subject to specific regulations.

1. Overtime Pay: Employees working overtime are entitled to receive compensation at a rate higher than their regular hourly wage. Typically, overtime is paid at 1.25 times the regular rate for the first two hours, and 1.5 times the regular rate for any additional hours.
2. Limits on Overtime: The total number of overtime hours an employee can work is limited by law, and employers must ensure that the working hours do not exceed 60 hours per week in total, including regular and overtime hours.

Public Holidays and Time Off

Public holidays and weekends offer employees time to rest and spend with their families. These breaks, as outlined earlier, are not deducted from the annual leave entitlement and are mandatory days off for employees in Oman.

1. Public Holidays: On public holidays, employees are generally entitled to a full day off. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are entitled to compensation or an alternative day off.
2. Essential Services: For employees in certain industries, especially those in essential services like healthcare and hospitality, the working hours may differ, and holidays may be compensated by additional benefits.

Flexibility in Working Hours

Oman is gradually embracing flexibility in working hours, especially in the private sector. This flexibility is particularly noticeable in industries like tech, media, and consultancy, where employees may work remotely or adopt flexi-time schedules. While there are no specific laws mandating flexibility, many employers offer flexible working hours as a benefit to improve employee productivity and well-being.

Some companies are also experimenting with the four-day workweek, giving employees an extra day off while maintaining the same productivity levels. However, this is not yet a widespread practice across the country.

Rest Periods

Rest periods during working hours are crucial for employees to recharge and maintain their focus. According to the Omani labor laws, employees are entitled to take at least one hour of rest for meals and prayer during the working day. This break typically occurs in the middle of the workday and must be observed by the employer.

Additionally, employees are entitled to at least one day off per week, usually on Friday, but this may vary depending on the type of work and employer.

Types of Leave in Oman

In addition to public holidays, Oman’s labor law ensures that employees are entitled to a variety of leaves. These leaves are designed to provide employees with time off for personal, health, and family-related matters. The following are the key types of leave available to employees in Oman:

Annual Leave

Entitlement: Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave after completing one year of service with their employer.

Pro-rata Basis: For those who have worked less than a year, annual leave is calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Purpose: This leave is designed for employees to rest, travel, or take time off to manage personal matters.

Sick Leave

Entitlement: Employees are entitled to 10 weeks of sick leave per year.

Payment Structure:

1. Full salary for the first 2 weeks
2. Three-quarters of salary for the next 2 weeks
3. Half salary for the subsequent 2 weeks
4. Unpaid leave for the remaining weeks

Documentation: Employees must provide a medical certificate to qualify for sick leave.

Maternity Leave

Duration: Female employees are entitled to 50 days of maternity leave.

Conditions: This leave can be extended if complications arise during childbirth, with proper medical documentation.

Paternity Leave

Duration: Fathers are entitled to 7 days of paternity leave to support their families during the post-birth period.

Hajj Leave

Entitlement: Muslim employees are granted 15 days of leave to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. This leave is available only once during an employee’s tenure with an employer.

Emergency Leave

Entitlement: Employees are entitled to 6 days of emergency leave per year to deal with unexpected personal or family emergencies.

Unpaid Leave

Employees in Oman can also apply for unpaid leave in cases of personal or family-related matters that require extended time off. This leave is subject to employer approval.

Planning Around Holidays and Leave in Oman

Effective planning is essential when it comes to holidays and leave types. Both employers and employees benefit from understanding the holiday calendar and leave entitlements.

For Employees

1. Employees should plan their annual leave well in advance, particularly during busy times or peak seasons.
2. Take advantage of long weekends and public holidays to travel or spend time with family.
3. Ensure all leave days are used within the year to avoid losing entitlement.

For Employers

1. Employers should create a holiday calendar and communicate leave policies clearly to employees.
2. Employers should manage staffing and workloads around public holidays, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
3. Providing flexible leave options can increase employee satisfaction and loyalty.

Cultural Insights About Holidays in Oman

The public holidays in Oman offer a window into the country’s rich Islamic culture and national pride. These holidays are not only times for relaxation but also for spiritual reflection and community bonding.

Community Spirit

Many of Oman’s public holidays emphasize community and family, with large gatherings, prayers, and the sharing of food. The national and Islamic holidays reflect Omanis' commitment to their faith, culture, and nation.

Tourism Opportunities

Oman’s public holidays provide great opportunities for tourists and expatriates to experience Omani culture firsthand. During holidays like Eid, markets are bustling with activity, and cultural festivals offer a glimpse into Oman’s traditions.

Managing Leave with TimeChart

Managing leave types, including annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and other types of leave, can be a complex task for both employers and employees in the Middle East. To streamline the process and ensure accuracy in leave tracking, businesses in the middle east are increasingly turning to TimeChart, a time attendance system that offers powerful tools for managing employee attendance and leave requests.

TimeChart helps businesses automate the entire leave process, reducing administrative overhead and ensuring that employees’ leave entitlements are tracked accurately. With features such as leave balance tracking, automated approval workflows, and real-time updates, TimeChart makes it easier for both employers and employees to manage leave efficiently.

The TimeChart system allows employees to submit leave requests online, and supervisors can approve or deny these requests within the system. It also integrates with biometric time attendance systems, ensuring that all leave records are linked to accurate clock-in and clock-out data, making it simpler for businesses to comply with labor laws.

Additionally, TimeChart provides detailed reports, allowing employers to monitor leave patterns, track employee absences, and ensure compliance with labor laws and company policies.

Read more about types of Leaves in UAE Labour Law: Annual Leave in UAE

How Timechart Can Help Businesses, Employees, and Managers

Timechart offers a range of tools and features designed to streamline workforce management. Its user-friendly interface and smart functionalities provide significant benefits for businesses, employees, and managers alike. Let’s explore how Timechart simplifies attendance tracking, unpaid leave management, and overall employee engagement.

Benefits for Businesses

1. Efficient Leave Management:
   • Timechart automates leave tracking, making it easy to manage unpaid leave, annual leave, and sick leave.
   • Businesses can ensure compliance with Labour Laws, reducing legal risks.
2. Accurate Attendance Tracking:
   • Timechart’s biometric attendance system eliminates manual errors and provides real-time updates on employee attendance.
   • Mobile time attendance capabilities ensure remote and on-site employees are accounted for.
3. Improved Compliance:
   • Built-in features help employers stay updated with labour law requirements, including Hajj leave, extended sick leave, and maternity leave policies.
   • Customized reports ensure accurate records for audits or inspections.
4. Cost Savings:
   • Automating processes reduces the need for manual administration, saving time and resources.
   • Detailed analytics provide insights into employee productivity and absenteeism trends, helping businesses optimize their workforce.

Benefits for Employees

1. Transparency in Leave Tracking:
   • Employees can easily apply for unpaid leave and monitor their leave balances using the Timechart app.
   • Automated notifications ensure they are updated on the status of their leave requests.
2. Flexibility for Remote Work:
   • Timechart’s mobile features enable employees to log attendance from anywhere, ensuring seamless workflow for remote or hybrid teams.
3. Access to Records:
   • Employees can access their attendance history, overtime records, and leave applications anytime, promoting trust and transparency.
4. Stress-Free Compliance:
   • With clear visibility into labour law-compliant leave policies, employees feel secure and confident in their entitlements.

Benefits for Managers

1. Centralized Management:
   • Managers can oversee attendance, unpaid leave, and sick leave requests from a single dashboard.
   • Real-time updates allow managers to make informed decisions quickly.
2. Improved Productivity:
   • With attendance data and leave patterns readily available, managers can allocate tasks effectively, avoiding understaffing or overburdening employees.
3. Enhanced Communication:
   • Timechart bridges communication gaps by enabling direct updates on leave approvals, attendance discrepancies, or schedule changes.
4. Performance Insights:
   • Analytics and reports generated by Timechart provide a clear picture of employee performance, enabling proactive management.

Additional Benefits

1. Customizable Policies:
   • Timechart allows businesses to customize leave and attendance policies based on their unique needs while remaining compliant with laws.
2. Cloud-Based Accessibility:
   • As a cloud-based platform, Timechart ensures secure access to data from anywhere, promoting flexibility and scalability.
3. Integration with Payroll:
   • Timechart integrates seamlessly with payroll systems, ensuring accurate calculation of unpaid leave deductions and other benefits.
4. Enhanced Employee Engagement:
   • By reducing administrative burdens and improving communication, Timechart fosters a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Why Choose Timechart?

Timechart’s advanced yet simple tools are designed to meet the unique needs of businesses in the Middle East. It ensures compliance with local labour laws, enhances operational efficiency, and promotes transparency at every level. Whether managing unpaid leave, streamlining attendance tracking, or improving employee satisfaction, Timechart stands out as an invaluable tool for modern workforce management.

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Conclusion

Public holidays, weekends, and various leave types in Oman reflect the country’s commitment to balancing work and life, while honoring its cultural and religious traditions. Both employees and employers benefit from understanding these entitlements, as they promote productivity, mental well-being, and job satisfaction. By respecting public holidays, leave types, and the weekend schedule, Omanis are able to maintain a healthy work-life balance while celebrating their nation’s rich cultural and religious history.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most up-to-date details about public holidays, weekends, or leave policies in Oman. Readers are advised to consult Oman’s Labour Law or official government resources for the latest and most accurate information. Always check with your employer for specific company policies regarding holidays and leave entitlements. This content is not intended as legal advice, and the authors are not responsible for any discrepancies or misunderstandings.

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