Business

Contract ending means Dubai worker free to leave job

Anyone who is on a limited contract has the right to leave service at the end of the contract and is free to do so without penalty.

Keren Bobker

January 01, 2016

  • English
  • Arabic

I have worked for a Dubai company since December 2009 on a limited contract. My next contract renewal is in December 2016, but I want to resign to take up new job in Dubai in January. Can I do this? Will I get a ban, and how much will I need to compensate my present company? I heard there are new rules from January, so will they make a difference? MI, Dubai

Anyone who is on a limited contract has the right to leave service at the end of the contract and is free to do so without penalty. They certainly do not have to compensate the employer if they complete the contract. No employer should ever repay any visa costs, and only someone who has broken the terms of a fixed-term contract by leaving early will be subject to a penalty. Anyone who has completed more than two years of employment should not receive a ban upon changing employer. There are a few changes to UAE Labour Law that will take effect on January 1, and these are designed to clarify the rules, particularly in respect to employment contract terms, but will not affect this particular situation.

Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 years’ experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE.

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only.

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School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

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Keren BobkerTechnologyPersonal finance