Under the UAE Labour Law, either party may terminate the employment contract by giving written notice. The notice period must be at least 30 days and may be agreed up to 90 days in the contract [1].
During the notice period, the employee continues to receive full wage and benefits. The employer may pay in lieu of notice. Either party who fails to give the agreed notice owes the other party compensation equal to the unpaid notice period.
Notice is not required where termination is for the serious-misconduct grounds listed in the law (a closed list — verify with a lawyer for your situation).
If you are within the probation period, a different notice rule applies: see [2] on probation, where the employer must give 14 days' written notice.
For specific contract clauses or disputes about whether notice was properly served, consult a UAE-licensed lawyer.
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More questions readers asked
Sub-questions our research cluster pulls together — each links to its full Tier-B/C answer.
+−How much annual leave am I entitled to in the UAE?
Full-time private-sector employees in the UAE are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave per year after 12 months of service.
+−Can I be terminated during my probation period in the UAE?
Yes. Employer must give 14 days written notice. No gratuity if under 1 year. Discriminatory or retaliatory dismissal can still be challenged at MOHRE.
+−What is the Wage Protection System penalty for late salary?
Late salary penalties under UAE WPS: flags at 15+ days, fines and permit blocks at 31+ days, suspension and criminal referral at 60+ days or repeated breach.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice tailored to your specific situation, consult a UAE-licensed lawyer.
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