Leaving Your Job in the UAE? Know the Notice Period Rules

Notice periods range from 30 to 90 days; employees and employers must follow the terms of the employment contract

Dubai: Under Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, notice periods for private-sector employment contracts in the UAE must be at least 30 days and no more than 90 days. The notice period stated in an employee’s MOHRE-registered contract generally applies equally to both the employer and the employee, unless a different arrangement provides a benefit to the employee.

During the notice period, the employment contract remains valid and the employee is entitled to their full salary based on their final wage. The employer and employee may also mutually agree to waive or shorten the notice period, provided the employee’s legal rights are protected.

If either party fails to give the required notice, they may be required to pay a notice-period allowance equivalent to the employee’s wage for the applicable notice period. Employees should therefore carefully check their employment contract before resigning or ending an employment relationship.