Q: I sent a formal email asking for 12 days annual leave and it was approved. On my last working day before my annual leave starts, the HR guy asked for me and we sat down and he told me that I am out of balance and that I owe them 14 days. I asked him to show me the annual leave forms that I have signed, and according to what I have signed, I only took 14 days in my second year so far with this employer. My hiring date was in September 2015. He also told me that I have exceeded my balance during the first year and that I have to work until September 2017 with no right to book annual leaves. And that if I resigned or got terminated they are going to deduct those 14 days from my salary. My question is: can my employer do what he has just done, deny me my annual leave at such a short notice, and can he deduct those 14 days from my salary? Is it my fault that they are not organised? And under what circumstances can I sue my employer with regards to the above?

Q: Can I trade my annual leaves with notice period under unlimited contract?

Q: Hi, Can an employer force an employee to take any remaining annual leave days during their notice period, if they prefer not to pay cash?

Q: Hi. Good day, I just like to ask if I can go out of the country for a vacation, even without the approval of my employer since my vacation is just two days and I will be back as soon as possible. In my contract, there is nothing saying that I can't travel during my contract. Is it okay, because I really miss my family? Thanks in advance.

Q: Sir, I am a Safety Officer of a construction project. My employer deducted AED 600 as a fine in last 3 months, and they have not informed me about the reasons nor have given any warning in writing or verbal.

Q: Dear Sir, I am working in a shipping company for the last eighteen months. Now, I demand annual leave and they are saying if you want to go for holidays, hold your one month or you deposit three thousand dirhams. They are not even giving any annual leave salary. I want to know if there is any law regarding this, and what should I do next. Please guide me, I am waiting for your precious advice.

Q: My friend has a contract which states that she gets 30 days' annual "paid leave" after every 12 months of a completed work year. With approved and signed leave, she went on leave, and on return, the company refused to pay her 30 days' salary whilst she was on leave. What can be done?

Q: Hi, I have completed 8 months in Dubai in my new company. I applied for my annual vacation and my boss said I can't take leave till I complete my 11 months in the company or meet my target for the year, is that a law in the UAE? Please suggest!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have completed one year in my company, and I want to go to my country for vacation. If my boss does not allow annual leave, what should I do? What are the rules regarding annual leave? Are holidays mentioned in my contract period? What can be done if it has been specified that you have to leave after two years?

An interview-format article covering the topic of filing an employment court case in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.

The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.

The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).