Ending an Employment Contract in Dubai: Notice, Fair Process and Arbitrary Dismissal

How termination and notice are meant to work

1. 1

   Know that the contract runs through the whole notice period

   Once notice is served, the employment contract stays fully in effect throughout the notice period and ends only when that period expires. Nothing about your obligations or the employer's obligations lapses early, the relationship simply continues until the notice runs out.

   Documents:Employment contractNotice letter
2. 2

   Expect full wage for the notice period

   The worker is entitled to his full wage for the notice period, based on their most recent salary. This is not a reduced or partial figure, it is the same pay you were already earning, calculated on your latest wage.

   Documents:Latest salary slip
3. 3

   Understand the notice-period allowance if notice is skipped

   If either party fails to serve the notice period, that party must compensate the other with a 'notice period' allowance, and this is owed even if the missing notice caused no harm at all to the other party. It applies whether it is you or the employer who cuts the period short.

4. 4

   Check that notice is equal for both sides

   The notice period must be the same for both parties. The only exception is when a longer or more generous period is set in favour of the worker. If your contract gives the employer a shorter notice than it gives you, that is a point to question.

   Documents:Employment contract
5. 5

   Require a written investigation before dismissal without notice

   The law allows the employer to terminate without notice only after conducting a written investigation of the worker. A dismissal without notice that skips this written investigation does not meet what the law requires.

   Documents:Written investigation record
6. 6

   Get the dismissal notice in writing and justified

   The dismissal notice must be in writing, must be justified, and must be handed over duly to the employee by the employer or their representative. A verbal, unexplained or improperly delivered dismissal falls short of this standard, insist on receiving it properly.

   Documents:Written dismissal notice
7. 7

   Recognise an arbitrary (unlawful) dismissal

   According to Article 47 of the Labour Law, terminating a worker is considered unlawful if the dismissal results from the worker submitting a serious complaint to MoHRE, or filing a lawsuit against the employer that is proven valid. If you were dismissed because you raised such a complaint or a valid claim, the law treats it as arbitrary.

   Documents:MoHRE complaint reference
8. 8

   Know the ceiling on compensation

   In all cases, the compensation must not exceed the wage of the employee for a period of three months, calculated on the basis of the last wage he was entitled to. The exact amount for your situation should be confirmed against the authority's current guidance, check the current figure on the authority's website.

Fees and timelines may change, verify with the official source.

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