Facing a notice period dispute?
We advise UAE employees on labour law rights — notice pay, arbitrary dismissal claims, and final settlement disputes. Free WhatsApp consultation.
Got it! We'll be in touch on WhatsApp within a few hours.
Under the new UAE Labour Law, all employment contracts are now treated as limited (fixed-term) contracts of up to 3 years, renewable. The notice period depends on your length of service:
| Years of Service | Minimum Notice Period |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 30 days |
| 1–3 years | 30 days |
| 3–5 years | 60 days |
| More than 5 years | 90 days |
Payment in lieu: Either party can waive the notice period by paying the equivalent salary for that period. The employer can ask you to leave immediately and must pay the full notice period salary.
Arbitrary dismissal: If terminated without valid reason, you may be entitled to compensation of up to 3 months' salary in addition to notice pay.
During notice period: You are entitled to one paid day off per week to look for new employment.
Contract breach: If you leave without serving notice, the employer can deduct the notice-period salary from your final settlement or pursue a labour complaint.