Questions & Answers
Can the employee refuse to move to another job location if asked by the employer?
Hi,
Good day!
I just want to ask a question, My contract is unlimited and working with my company for 3 years already here in Dubai. My job is Office Assistant and the office I'm working with didn't renew the contract from my company.
Now, my company wants to send me to another Emirate which is Ras Al Khaimah. But I refused the offer because it very far and in my contract, it's written “The second party shall work for the first party in the job/profession within the UAE (Emirate Name: Dubai).
My question is do I have the right to refuse?
And if my company terminates me, do I have the rights to get my benefits and gratuity?
Thank you so much Sir/Ma'am!
Dear questioner,
The contractual employment relationship (like many other contracts) is based on the mutual agreement of the parties.
This means that you, as an employee, have to agree or disagree as well with any new term or condition and vice versa. If you suggest any change, your employer has to agree to it as well.
Since you mentioned that you do have an unlimited term contract, if you do not agree to the change the employer is willing to make, even if they will terminate you or you will choose to leave, you are definitely still entitled to receive your end of service benefits.
Even for limited-term contracts, if employees do not agree to certain changes, they can not be forced to adhere to new terms unilaterally chosen by the employers.
The benefits can be forfeited in a no. of limited cases as per the UAE Labor Law or if you owe any money to the company (such as a loan), but not because you refuse to move to another emirate.
Would be highly recommended to check with a legal advisor, just to make sure you comply with all the rules as per your contract and as per the UAE Labor Law.
Should you require any assistance, please feel free to contact me at my email.
