The Ministry of Health suspends retroactive leave through "Mawared": Details of exceptions

In a regulatory move aimed at streamlining workflow and enhancing administrative efficiency, the Saudi Ministry of Health issued a firm decision to cease accepting all leave and secondment requests submitted retroactively through the "Mawared" electronic system. The Ministry confirmed that the system will automatically reject any request that does not adhere to the established timeline, thus putting an end to administrative practices that were disrupting work schedules.

This decision comes as part of the ministry's efforts to instill a culture of commitment and proactive planning among its staff, emphasizing the need to submit requests before their actual due dates. This measure aims to ensure the uninterrupted provision of healthcare services to beneficiaries and to prevent disruptions that may result from sudden, unscheduled absences, except in cases of force majeure.

The context of digital transformation and Vision 2030

This decision cannot be separated from the broader context of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which is fundamentally based on digital transformation and streamlining government procedures. The "Mawared" system (Government Resource Planning System) is a cornerstone of this transformation, aiming to automate human resources administrative processes and reduce reliance on paper-based transactions or manual procedures that may be opaque or delaying. This approach reinforces the principles of transparency and fairness in employment, as the system ensures that regulations are applied to everyone according to uniform and precise standards.

Humanitarian exceptions: Balancing order and emergency circumstances

Despite the strict enforcement of the system, the decision took into account humanitarian considerations and emergency social and health circumstances that an employee might face that prevent them from submitting an application in advance. The ministry has established an exclusive list of exceptions in which an application can be submitted with an earlier date, including:

• Leaves to accompany patients and leave for the death of relatives, due to their sudden nature.
• Sick leave in its various approved categories.
• Newborn baby leave.
• Kidney dialysis leave and periodic treatment sessions, taking into account critical health conditions.

Expected impact on the work environment

This decision is expected to significantly improve the work environment within healthcare facilities. Administratively, the requirement for advance submission will streamline the distribution of tasks and shifts, thus reducing the workload on dedicated medical and administrative staff. It will also enhance the accuracy of data in the Ministry's records, enabling decision-makers to plan workforce strategies more effectively and ensuring that employee rights and responsibilities are clearly defined within a transparent and flexible framework.