Smart Salem, the UAE’s fastest visa medical testing and premium health and wellness screening clinic, has announced a progressive parental leave policy that establishes it as a leader in family-friendly workplace initiatives in the region.
Under the new policy, new mothers will receive 24 weeks (168 days) of maternity leave, which includes 56 days of fully paid leave, 56 days of half-paid leave, and 56 days of unpaid leave. New fathers will benefit from two weeks (14 days) of fully paid paternity leave, to be taken within six months of their child’s birth. For context, the UAE’s mandated maternity leave is 60 calendar days, with 45 days fully paid and 15 days half-paid, while paternity leave is typically five days.
Smart Salem has quickly established itself as a homegrown success story since its inception in late 2019, providing guaranteed medical visa test results in under 30 minutes. The clinic has expanded rapidly, opening three state-of-the-art facilities equipped with advanced automation and robotics for a seamless digital experience, earning its reputation as Dubai’s favorite visa medical testing center with over 25,000 five-star Google reviews. This year, Smart Salem has also launched more than 30 innovative preventative health and wellness services, including gut microbiome testing and Smart DNA testing for aging, nutrition, and skin health.
CEO Amanda Gravitis emphasized the importance of a people-first approach to the clinic’s success. “Our strategy has always centered on putting people first, whether it’s delivering an exceptional experience for our customers or supporting our employees during significant life events like welcoming a new family member.”
With the launch of this extended parental leave policy, Gravitis hopes that employees can return to work rejuvenated, having had the opportunity to enjoy and adjust to their new arrival. “We understand how crucial mental and physical health are to overall productivity, which is why we are committed to offering enhanced support to new parents.”
In addition to the new parental leave policy, Smart Salem proudly announced its continued recognition as a Great Place to Work, with 94% of employees rating it as a great workplace—well above the global average of 55%. Furthermore, 98% of employees expressed pride in working for the company. Last year, Smart Salem ranked 24th in the UAE’s Great Place to Work Small Business category and 8th in the GCC Great Place to Work Healthcare category.
Gravitis added, “Along with exceptional employee facilities, competitive benefits, and flexible working options, Smart Salem provides a safe, supportive, and fair working environment. We embrace a ‘one team’ philosophy and take great pride in this recognition.”
To qualify for the extended parental leave, employees must have worked at Smart Salem for at least one year.
About Smart Salem
Smart Salem is the UAE’s premier center for premium visa medical fitness testing and health and wellness screening. In addition to providing visa medical results in just 30 minutes, it offers a variety of health and wellness tests, including gut microbiome analysis and allergy tests, along with comprehensive health screening packages that cover blood tests, body composition analysis, physical examinations, and consultations with family medicine specialists.
A public-private partnership between Dubai Health and Klea Holding (formerly Visiomed), Smart Salem aims to deliver world-class health and wellness services through innovation, promoting a shift from reactive to preventative healthcare. Utilizing advanced automation, robotics, and smart technologies, Smart Salem is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge healthcare solutions to the UAE.
Customers can visit any of the three state-of-the-art facilities located at City Walk, Index Tower DIFC, or Dubai Knowledge Park for a fully digital experience.
