If you are required to work during an official public holiday in the UAE, the law is clear regarding your compensation. Under Article 28 of the UAE Employment Law, if your employer necessitates your presence on a public holiday, they must either grant you a substitute day off or pay you your standard daily salary plus an additional supplement of at least 50 percent of your basic wage. These regulations ensure that employees are fairly rewarded for sacrificing their scheduled time off to maintain business operations.

However, the law does not explicitly define a deadline for when these compensatory days must be taken, leaving the scheduling largely to the discretion of the employer. While HR departments often set internal policies, they cannot simply void your right to this leave. If your employer refuses to provide the substitute rest day, denies the extra pay, or claims that your leave has "lapsed" without merit, you have the right to escalate the matter. In such cases, you should reach out to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) to file a formal complaint and ensure your labor rights are upheld.