Groundhog Club handler AJ Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prophesying groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. AP
Groundhog Club handler AJ Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prophesying groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. AP
Migrants cross the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves in to the authorities and request asylum in El Paso, Texas, US, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Reuters
Migrants cross the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves in to the authorities and request asylum in El Paso, Texas, US, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Reuters
A woman poses for a photo on the bank of the Yangtze River in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province. AFP
A woman poses for a photo on the bank of the Yangtze River in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province. AFP
A fisherman does push-ups as his colleagues get their fishing nets ready for their next trip in the protected wetlands area of Joal Fadiouth, in the Thies region of Senegal. AFP
A fisherman does push-ups as his colleagues get their fishing nets ready for their next trip in the protected wetlands area of Joal Fadiouth, in the Thies region of Senegal. AFP
Russian police units stand guard in downtown of Moscow, Russia, after protests over jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. EPA
Russian police units stand guard in downtown of Moscow, Russia, after protests over jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. EPA
The SpaceX Starship SN9 explodes into a fireball during an attempted landing after its high-altitude test flight from test facilities in Boca Chica, Texas, US. Reuters
The SpaceX Starship SN9 explodes into a fireball during an attempted landing after its high-altitude test flight from test facilities in Boca Chica, Texas, US. Reuters
Protesters set up a barricade on a street during a nationwide strike demanding the resignation of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. AP
Protesters set up a barricade on a street during a nationwide strike demanding the resignation of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. AP
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pay their respects to police officer Brian Sicknick, who died on January 7 from injuries he sustained protecting the US Capitol during the January 6 mob attack, as he lies in honour in the Rotunda of the US Capitol, in Washington. Reuters
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pay their respects to police officer Brian Sicknick, who died on January 7 from injuries he sustained protecting the US Capitol during the January 6 mob attack, as he lies in honour in the Rotunda of the US Capitol, in Washington. Reuters

World

Groundhog Day to SpaceX explosion - today's best pictures

Take a look at some of the best photos from around the world in the past 24 hours

The National

February 04, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

More galleries from The National:

Flamingo travels 10,000km since leaving Abu Dhabi two years ago

SpaceX suffers second fiery crash after Starship SN9 test flight

Britain's celebrities pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore

14 of the best looks from Dolce & Gabbana's autumn / winter 2021 menswear show

From Dubai's Museum of the Future to Saudi Arabia's Grand Mosque - pictures from the Gulf today

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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