Questions & Answers
Consequences of working for the competitor of your previous employer
Dear Sir,
I need urgent legal help. I worked for a company for past 7 years in RAK. At the time of leaving the company, they did not provide me with my experience letter.
When I exited to India, my new employer did not give me a new visa because I could not give experience letter. For 30 days, I was jobless in India.
Then in a job portal, I found a job in another company in Sharjah, but it was a competitor to my previous company. I had no option, so I joined them to support my family.
After 3 months of joining, my previous employer came to know, and now is threatening to file a case against me. I need to know the following:
- What will be the consequences of the case?
- Will be there any chance to win and continue to work for my new employer?
- How much will it cost me financially so that I can plan accordingly?
- And last, I would like to know the timeline required to have this case resolved.
Shall wait for your response urgently.
Ashley
Dear Ashley,
Please confirm if you signed a non-competition agreement or if your labour contract had a non-competition clause.
If not then you don't have to worry. If you signed, then was the period or territory mentioned? If not, you need not worry.
Even if the period or territory was mentioned, if the compensation amount is not mentioned, then they will have to prove the losses suffered due to the fact you joined a competitor.
So don't worry, the UAE law is in favour of the employee. Be happy and continue to work at your new workplace.
With best regards,
Mrs Khan
