Resignation during the probation period and labor ban in unlimited contracts

Questions & Answers

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Required notice period for resignation during probation

Q: I am on my probation period and I want to resign. But the company I work for won't let me resign without giving 3 months notice period. Do I have a notice period while on probation?

Jun 2, 2019

2131

Resignation during the probationary period in unlimited contracts

Q: Hi, I have been working in a private firm for the past 4 months. Since I am not comfortable with my work and my employer, I want to resign. My concerns are: 1. I do not know the status of my visa. 2. I am not sure if I will get a ban or not.

Feb 12, 2020

2220

Terminating an employment contract by an employee because of the workload

Q: Hello, How can I terminate a contract with the sponsor after only 1 month? The workload is too much for me!

Nov 21, 2019

422

The consequences of resignation before stamping the visa on the passport

Q: Hi, I have just joined a company in Dubai for 2 months. In the contract, it does not show any probation period. They said that they are already done with my visa but not yet stamped on the passport, also not yet done with my EID. If I resign, can they ban me? Or I have to give 30 days period before I can quit? Thank you!

Apr 1, 2021

1977

What are the consequences of terminating an unlimited contract during probation?

Q: Hi, My contract is unlimited and I am leaving my job after 5 months and 10 days. Even I give 1 month notice period to the company but they still want me to pay. What can I do?

May 27, 2021

447

The applicability of a labor ban when resigning during the probation period

Q: I want to know about the labor ban. Previously, I was working with a private company with a Sharjah visa for 2 years. Now I have joined a new private company with a Dubai visa. I'm on 6 month probation period which is going to end after a week. As I don't feel comfortable working in the current company and I have better offers from other companies, I would like to know If I resign will I get a labor ban? I am still in the probation period. I don't have a graduation certificate attested and my current visa is unlimited. Thank you!

Aug 31, 2021

389

Consequences of resigning during probation without giving a notice

Q: Hello, I seek your advice here to understand 3 scenarios as follows : a) What happens when an employee who is on an unlimited contract resigns during his probation period? In such a case, would he need to serve a notice period to his employer or would it be immediate? b) In a case as mentioned above, if the employee decides to leave within his probation period, can the employer demand to get back the visa cost from him during his clearance and cancellation? c) Based on this case, can the employer put a labor ban on the employee due to his sudden departure during probation? Thank you

Oct 11, 2021

587

Can the employer impose a penalty on the employee for resigning during probation?

Q: Hello Rajasree, Thanks for the detailed article. It was really helpful. I just had a small query and would be really grateful if you could clarify. I had an unlimited contract but I left the job within two months because I got a really better opportunity in Dubai itself. The agreement stated that if I left before 12 months, I'll have to pay a penalty. Is it true? (I checked some articles and I found that it isn't)

Nov 2, 2021

421

Claim against the company for holding passport and visa cancellation upon resignation

Q: Hi. I have worked as an accountant in one company in Abu Dhabi since Oct 2014 under an unlimited contract. Last Jan 8, 2022, I have submitted my resignation, handed over all the data and completed my notice period on Feb 6, 2022. Now my employer is saying the data are not proper and you have to wait until they finalize the financials. They refused to cancel my visa and they hold my passport. Is it legal? Can you advise on what I can do?

Feb 13, 2022

416

Legal blog

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Provisions of Limited and Unlimited Labour Contracts in the UAE Labour Law

When an employee or employer mentions legal issues related to their labour relationship, the first question to be raised is: do you have a limited or unlimited labour contract? We try here to shed light on the relevant provisions of the limited and unlimited contracts in the UAE labour law pertaining to resignation, termination of employment, notice period and calculation of the end of service benefits.

Jan 5, 2019

147

83151

An Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024

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

233

92665

Laws & Regulations

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Federal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations

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

103762

Ministerial Decree No. (765) of 2015 On Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations

This Decree sets the rules and conditions for the termination of fixed-term (limited) or unlimited (not term-bound) employment contract between employer and worker in the United Arab Emirates.

Sep 27, 2015

12466

Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations

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

26967

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Abdul Wahied Mohammad Sharief

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Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount?

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