New DIFC Employment Law - Paternity leave & other employee benefits

The new DIFC Employment Law provides some real benefits for employees. For example, new fathers will be entitled to take five days' paid paternity leave, provided they have more than one year's continuous service. All employees will be entitled to reasonable time off to attend antenatal care, and the new law significantly strengthens the existing anti-discrimination provisions. It now expressly prohibits harassment, victimisation and discrimination on grounds of age, pregnancy and maternity leave. In addition, employees who have suffered discrimination, harassment or victimisation could potentially claim up to one year's remuneration as compensation for that act.