An employer in the UAE is obliged to provide employees with a safe and appropriate working environment under Article 13(13) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the regulation of labour relations. However, a reader complained about a boss who shouts at him and his colleagues, often in the presence of others, and who also calls outside working hours to demand that they complete tasks. Employees desperately hold on to their jobs and do not respond. Still, they want to know whether there is a legal way to resolve the situation while preserving their positions and dignity.
Article 14(2) of the labour law clearly prohibits various forms of harassment, including sexual, verbal, physical and psychological. These forms of harassment may come from employers, supervisors, colleagues, or anyone the employee interacts with. The provision states: “It is prohibited to commit sexual harassment, bullying, or any verbal, physical orpsychological violence against an employee by the employer, manager or colleagues.”
If an employer is disrespectful, uses degrading expressions, or shouts at an employee in front of others, they face liability in the form of imprisonment for at least six months or a fine of up to 5,000 dirhams. This corresponds to Article 427 of Federal Law No. 31 of 2021 on crimes and penalties, which establishes punishment for slander or insult committed by phone or in the presence of others against the victim.
Read also: Weekly digest: Chinese aircraft and South Korean billions.
An employee may resign without notice when filing a complaint
An employee may consider terminating employment without serving the notice period when filing a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. This is according to Article 45(2) of the labour law, which states: “An employee may leave work without notice and retain all rights to end-of-service benefits if he is subjected to assault, violence or harassment in the workplace by the employer or his legal representative, provided that he reports this to the competent authorities and the ministry within 5 working days from the time he was able to report.”
For those who follow the latest updates on Dubai real estate, stable protection of labour rights creates a favourable environment for attracting qualified specialists, which, in turn, supports housing demand through increased employment and residents’ purchasing power.
Based on the above-mentioned provisions of the law, if an employer verbally insults or shouts, an employee may:
- Submit a complaint to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- Consider resigning without notice within 5 days after filing a complaint
- Retain all rights to end-of-service benefits
Ashish Mehta, founder of Ashish Mehta & Associates and qualified to practise law in Dubai, the UK and India, explained the legal mechanisms of protection. Anonymous submission of a complaint is difficult within the formal MoHRE process, as the applicant must be identified for the investigation. However, employees may file a collective complaint, which strengthens their position and distributes risks among several people.
Read also: Emirates launches premium economy on Perth–Dubai route and reshapes long-haul travel decisions.
In practice, these norms show that workers often fear losing their visas and jobs, leaving them vulnerable to unethical employers. The law provides protection, but actual use of these mechanisms depends on the employee’s willingness to go through the complaint process and potentially change employers.
Calls outside working hours to complete tasks also violate the balance between work and personal life, but the legal landscape is less clear in this context. The labour contract should define working hours, and systematic demands to work beyond them without compensation may be considered a violation of the terms. Understanding the cost of living in Dubai for property owners becomes essential when calculating the required income to maintain quality of life, especially if an employee is considering changing jobs with a potential period without salary.
Workplace culture in the region is gradually shifting toward a more respectful environment, but cases of verbal abuse remain. The legal framework exists, but awareness of one’s rights and the readiness to defend them remain key factors for changing the situation within individual companies.
