UAE Notice Period, Resignation and Termination Rules Explained

Whether you are resigning or your employer is ending your contract, UAE Labour Law sets clear rules on notice and compensation. Here is a plain-English summary for private-sector workers.

Notice period

• Minimum 30 days, maximum 90 days, as agreed in your contract.
• Notice must be given in writing, and you keep working and get full pay during it.
• The notice period should be the same for both sides, unless it is better for the worker.
• Both sides can agree to shorten or waive it.
• Whoever fails to give notice must pay the other side pay in lieu of notice.

When a contract can end

Common reasons include: mutual written agreement; the contract term ending without renewal; either side ending it with the agreed notice; the company closing permanently or going bankrupt; and the worker not meeting work permit renewal conditions for reasons outside the employer's control.

When an employer can dismiss without notice

Only for serious reasons set out in the law, for example: using forged documents, causing serious losses, breaking safety rules, disclosing confidential information, being drunk or on drugs at work, assaulting someone at work, or being absent without a valid reason for more than 20 separate days in a year or more than 7 days in a row. The employer must investigate in writing and give a written, reasoned dismissal.

When you can leave without notice and keep your rights

You can leave without notice, and still keep your end-of-service benefits, if:

1. Your employer breaks the contract or the law (for example, unpaid wages). You must inform MoHRE at least 14 working days before leaving, and the employer fails to fix the problem.
2. You are assaulted or harassed by the employer at work. Report it to the authorities and MoHRE within 5 working days.
3. You are given fundamentally different work without your written consent.
4. There is a serious danger to your safety or health that the employer does not remove.

Arbitrary dismissal

If you are dismissed for an unlawful reason, for example because you filed a genuine complaint, a court can award compensation of up to 3 months' wages, based on your last salary. You can also claim your gratuity, notice pay and other unpaid dues.

Your final settlement

Your gratuity, last salary and other entitlements must be paid within 14 days of the contract ending. See: How UAE gratuity is calculated.

This is general information, not legal advice. For your own case, contact MoHRE or a qualified lawyer.