Dismissal without notice and arbitrary dismissal in the UAE

A UAE employer can dismiss you without notice only in ten specific cases (Article 44 of the Labour Law), and only after a written investigation. A dismissal because you made a valid complaint or lawsuit is arbitrary, and a court can award up to three months’ wages on top of your other dues.

The ten cases (Article 44)

1. A false identity, or forged documents or certificates.
2. An error causing substantial material loss, or deliberate damage to the employer’s property that the worker admits; the employer must inform the Ministry within seven working days of learning of it.
3. Breaking safety instructions that were posted in writing where they could be seen, and that the worker knew about.
4. Failing to perform basic duties, and continuing after two written warnings of dismissal.
5. Disclosing the establishment’s confidential industrial or intellectual-property information, causing damage, a lost opportunity or personal gain.
6. Being drunk or under the influence of prohibited drugs during working hours, or an act against public morals at work.
7. Assaulting the employer, a manager, a supervisor or a colleague at work.
8. Absence without a legitimate reason for more than 20 non-consecutive days in a year, or more than 7 consecutive days.
9. Exploiting one’s position unlawfully for personal gain.
10. Joining another establishment without following the rules for doing so.

In these cases the dismissal notice must be in writing, give the reason, and be handed to the worker.

Arbitrary dismissal (Article 47)

A dismissal is unlawful if it results from the worker making a serious complaint to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, or filing a lawsuit against the employer, that is proven valid.

• Complain to the Ministry; if there is no amicable settlement, the case goes to court. The steps are in how to file a labour complaint.
• If arbitrary dismissal is proven, the court sets compensation by the type of work, the harm done and the length of service, never more than three months of the last wage.
• You still claim your gratuity, notice pay and any other dues: the final settlement calculator works them out.

The worker’s side — when you can leave without notice and keep your gratuity — is in leaving a job without notice. Ordinary resignation and dismissal need notice: see notice period.

Checked against the UAE government portal (u.ae), content sourced to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, on 26 September 2026. General information, not legal advice. See our editorial policy.