What Counts as Arbitrary Dismissal in the UAE?
Learn the narrow UAE arbitrary-dismissal test, what evidence to preserve and how compensation differs from other termination dues.
The practical answer
Under UAE private-sector rules, a dismissal is unlawful when it results from the worker filing a serious complaint with MOHRE or bringing a valid lawsuit against the employer. A court may award compensation of up to three months’ last wage, without removing other valid termination entitlements.
How to handle it
1. Preserve the timeline
Save the complaint or court filing, acknowledgement, performance records, warnings and termination notice. Dates are crucial to showing a connection.
2. Ask for the termination reason
Request the stated ground and final-settlement calculation in writing. Do not alter or destroy company records.
3. Use the MOHRE complaint route
Submit the employment contract, wage evidence and relevant correspondence through the official channel. MOHRE may first seek settlement.
4. Separate each claim
Notice pay, unpaid wages, leave, gratuity and unlawful-dismissal compensation are different questions. List and evidence each one.
Important: Not every unfair-feeling termination meets the statutory arbitrary-dismissal test. A court decides compensation from the evidence and circumstances.
Before you act
Act promptly and obtain qualified advice for limitation periods or complex evidence. This guide explains the official framework; it cannot predict the result of a particular dispute.
Official source and review note
Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this article on 9 October 2026 against UAE Government — Terminating employment contracts ↗. Check the live service before acting because eligibility, documents, fees and processing steps can change.