What is the notice period in the UAE?
Between 30 and 90 days, as written in the employment contract. Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 requires written notice, the same period for both parties unless a longer one favours the worker, and full wages throughout. A party that does not give the notice pays the other the wage for the full period or the days missed.
Pay and work during the notice
The contract stays valid until the notice ends. The worker receives the full last wage and works if the employer asks. Both parties may agree to waive or shorten the notice, but the worker keeps the right to be paid for the period in the contract.
When the employer gives notice, the worker may take one unpaid working day a week to look for another job, telling the employer at least three days before.
Notice period allowance
Article 43 calls the payment in place of notice a notice period allowance. It is due even if skipping the notice caused no damage, and it is calculated on the last wage. For piece-rate workers it uses the average daily wage the law defines.
Notice during probation follows Article 9 instead: 14 days from the employer, and one month or 14 days from the worker depending on where they go next.
How SupaJack Construct settles notice
The final settlement in SupaJack Construct brings together the last salary, accrued leave, gratuity and any notice allowance, posts them to the ledger in one entry and pays them through the WPS file, so the settlement figure and the bank transfer are the same number.
Related tools and guides
See the UAE labour law guide for contractors, the final settlement calculator, the gratuity calculator, the annual leave calculator, the unpaid leave deduction calculator, payroll and WPS in SupaJack Construct, time and attendance and the meaning of basic salary.
Worked example
A site engineer earns a total wage of AED 15,000 a month on a 30-day notice contract. The contractor ends the contract and wants the engineer to leave the same day. Because no notice is worked, the contractor owes a notice period allowance of AED 15,000 on top of the final settlement.
Questions people ask
Can a contract set a 120-day notice?
No. Article 43 caps the notice at 90 days.
Is the notice the same for both sides?
Yes, unless a different period serves the worker's interest.
Does notice start during sick leave?
No. Article 35 delays the start of notice while the worker is on leave.
Is the allowance based on basic or total wage?
Article 43 says the last wage the worker received.