Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allWorking with a competitor after signing a non-competition agreement
2
Q: I have a non-competition agreement signed with my previous company. Based on that, I cannot work in the same field or anything related.
I was an office assistant but I was given a title as sales so the agreement can be effective on me.
I want to know, will that agreement get me into trouble if I work with a competitor?

Oct 11, 2017
4622
Non-competition clause and its applicability to hospital doctors
0
Q: Does the non-competition clause apply to expatriate specialist doctors (surgeon) working in a private hospital?

Aug 20, 2018
1062
The significance of non-competition clause in employment contracts
3
Q: Employment non-competition evaluation.
Employment contract section 11.

Apr 23, 2018
515
Forcing an employee to sign an undertaking letter of non compete
1
Q: Hi,
I have an employment contract with a clause: non compete for 2 years in case of resignation.
But, this clause was not mentioned in my offer letter when they hired me. My question is: do I have to sign now an undertaking letter of non compete clause while leaving the company by resigning because HR is forcing me to sign the undertaking letter now?

Oct 7, 2020
3070
Signing a non-compete clause upon termination of a labor contract


1
Q: Dear sir/madam,
I had signed a labor contract with the Ministry of Labour which had no "non-compete" clause.
Now, I want to leave the company, but my employer wants me to sign the "non-compete" clause in the termination contract.
In this case, is the non-compete clause applicable or not?



Oct 19, 2022
323
If a DIFC employer requires a non-compete agreement, should they compensate the employee?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
If my employer in DIFC requires a non-compete agreement that prohibits me from working in my specialty at another company, should they compensate me for this downtime?
What else can I do if I have spent my entire life developing in my field?
Which law regulates this issue in the DIFC zone?





Jul 9, 2024
163
Employer says I can't work in the same emirate at a competitor after resigning. Is this correct?




1
Q: Hello,
In my current job contract, I have a 30-day notice period. I have already submitted my resignation, but I want to resign early; it’s 5 days before the end of my notice period.
I requested early resignation and am willing to pay any liabilities in this matter.
However, my company is saying I can't work in the same emirate within two years at any competing similar facility, as per Labour Contract Law No. 33 of 2021.





+2
Mar 7, 2025
84
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allAn Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 234
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.
Sep 10, 2024
92885
Case Summary in DIFC Courts, Small Claims Tribunal 3
Introduction: In the case of [A] v [B] [2024] DIFC SCT, the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts’ Small Claims Tribunal addressed a dispute concerning the non-payment of invoices. Natalie, the claimant, alleged that Nola, the defendant, had failed to fulfill payment obligations outlined in an Engagement Agreement dated November 23, 2023.
May 2, 2024
312
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
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.
Apr 20, 1980
103775
Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.
Dec 15, 1985
148556
Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
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).
Sep 20, 2021
27028

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Other answers by
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
48
A hair salon caused serious damage to my hair and scalp. What can I do to sue them? 0
I’m looking for legal advice regarding a hair salon incident that caused serious damage to my hair and scalp.
I visited a salon for a colouring treatment, during which two rounds of bleach, which is not what I booked in for, were given to me without proper approvals, and were applied back-to-back without a strand test or proper consultation.
As a result, I’ve been experiencing extreme hair breakage, daily hair loss, and ongoing scalp irritation. This has been especially distressing as I’m currently pregnant.
It’s now been over 20 days since the incident, and despite multiple polite follow-ups, the salon has ignored all communication.
I’m now exploring legal action to pursue compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused. I have full documentation, messages, and photos.
Any guidance on the best next steps or legal routes I can take would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
May 6, 2025
3
My wife got her maternity leave after she gave birth prematurely. Can her company pay her only half a salary? 0
My wife was pregnant and gave birth in the first week of her seventh month.
The company she works for refused to give her leave when she requested it before giving birth, claiming that work required it and that she was still in her sixth month.
Now the company she works for is refusing to pay her full salary and is offering to pay only half her salary.
Do they have the right to do this?
What are my wife's rights with the company she works for, and how can we demand them?
May 5, 2025
16
My husband sold the house we bought jointlyand took a cheque plus 1-year instalments from me. What can I do? 0
Hi,
I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband.
In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house.
But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India.
The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025.
Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there.
What can I do now?
Help!
May 1, 2025
24
Can the employer force the housmaid to work for unlimited hours without rest? 0
Hi
I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest.
My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right?
Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat.
Please answer me. I want to know my rights.
Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know.
They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.
May 1, 2025
31

Other answers by
How long should the work visa take to be issued by authourities? 0
My visa is not yet approved by immigration but I have already signed my offer letter from my new company.
It has been 2 months already without any information on my new visa.
What could be the reason for the delay in my visa? My visa status is active until 9/04/2023.
Feb 16, 2023
176
Is it possible to resign after one year to go back to home country? 1
Hi,
Good day!
I have been working in my company for about 1 year and 1 month and I want to resign to go back home to my country.
Are there any consequences for that?
Any advice, please?
Sep 19, 2022
276
Reducing the salary of an employee before termination 3
Hello Nicole,
Greetings!
I have been working in a private company in Dubai for the last 13 years under an unlimited contract. Recently, they have made my position redundant.
I am now serving 3 months notice period as per the labour contract (2 months already served, I am now in 3rd and last month).
My employer has put me on forced paid leave to adjust my notice period against leave days balance. I need some clarification per below, please.
1. The employer is paying me a full salary for a notice period of 3 months. However based on the recent announcement from the Ministry of Labor (for Private Co. employees), can my employer reduce my salary temporarily/permanently in this last month of notice period?
2. If the answer to question 1 is YES, how will it impact the calculation of my end of service benefits like gratuity or leave balance encashment? Will it be recalculated based on the revised (reduced) salary?
3. Am I eligible to claim any other Termination/redundancy pay apart from gratuity and leave balance encashment?
Apr 6, 2020
1152
Charging an employee for employment expenses 3
Hi,
I am a first timer here in Dubai. My employer wants to charge me all her expenses incurred during my application; like medical examination, visa, work permit and the money she gave to my agency.
What should I do?
Mar 13, 2020
662
Getting the amount of a bounced cheque after car buying fraud 1
I sold my car and the buyer gave me a cheque. The cheque bounced because the account is closed. He is doing this as a regular business.
I have already filed a complaint to the police station and I'm waiting for the judgment from the court. Maybe he will get the fine only.
How can I get my money?
Which case should I file: a civil case or a car buying fraud case?
He may not have anything under his name. If a civil case is filed against him, he knows how to avoid this case .This person has more than 14 cases. Recently, he got out of jail. The issuer of the cheque is a local Emirati guy.
Feb 28, 2020
673
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