Questions & Answers
Obligating an employee to accept unpaid leave and his resignation upon refusal
I've been working in a company in JLT under a limited contract for a year and a half. Due to the current pandemic, I was asked to sign a letter stating that I am going on unpaid leave for 5 months which I did not sign.
I did explain via emails that I can not accept to live without any income for 5 months. I said that I accept salary deductions. I did not hear from them except that they are waiting for my signature for unpaid leave.
I will most probably have to leave Dubai because I can not afford anymore to live here. What are my rights in this case? Can I resign because I haven't received a salary last month? Am I entitled to any end of service benefits in this case?
Am I obligated to pay any penalty because I am resigning under a limited contract? What can I do if I don't hear from them by the end of this month or if I don't receive anything at the end of the month?
Thank you!
Hello,
I trust you are well!
The impact of Covid-19 has, in turn, affected employers and employees extensively. Although employers have received support in the form of a new resolution being passed to lessen their financial burden, the resolution also entails mandatory prerequisites to be fulfilled for employees.
A few to name are: unpaid leave subject to mutual consent of the employer and employee, registration on a Virtual Labor Market, etc. We are happy to review your employment contract and provide guidance on how you should proceed.
For further information, please contact us via email.
