Employment contracts and redundancy
#1
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Employment contracts and redundancy
Back in January, I had the misfortune of being made redundant 4 months after arriving in the UAE. According to the terms of my contract, both sides are required to give two months notice on termination of employment, and Iwas given a final date of employment as 8th March. I was asked to work my notice (long story) and I agreed, on condition I would be given time to "sort out my life". I asked for this time and verbally requested I be released for gardening leave on 14 February. They verbally agreed. Fortunately for me I got fixed up with another position, but they have now decided to pay me only till 14 February. I am obviously going to remind them of the terms of my contract, but they are now trying to make out that I resigned, which I didn't - and have my redundancy letter to prove it. Any thoughts/advice/legal practices I can approach? Thanks.
#2
Re: Employment contracts and redundancy
Back in January, I had the misfortune of being made redundant 4 months after arriving in the UAE. According to the terms of my contract, both sides are required to give two months notice on termination of employment, and Iwas given a final date of employment as 8th March. I was asked to work my notice (long story) and I agreed, on condition I would be given time to "sort out my life". I asked for this time and verbally requested I be released for gardening leave on 14 February. They verbally agreed. Fortunately for me I got fixed up with another position, but they have now decided to pay me only till 14 February. I am obviously going to remind them of the terms of my contract, but they are now trying to make out that I resigned, which I didn't - and have my redundancy letter to prove it. Any thoughts/advice/legal practices I can approach? Thanks.
I guess the first thing to do would be write to your old company and threaten to lodge a complaint with the Labour ministry.
#3
Re: Employment contracts and redundancy
Back in January, I had the misfortune of being made redundant 4 months after arriving in the UAE. According to the terms of my contract, both sides are required to give two months notice on termination of employment, and Iwas given a final date of employment as 8th March. I was asked to work my notice (long story) and I agreed, on condition I would be given time to "sort out my life". I asked for this time and verbally requested I be released for gardening leave on 14 February. They verbally agreed. Fortunately for me I got fixed up with another position, but they have now decided to pay me only till 14 February. I am obviously going to remind them of the terms of my contract, but they are now trying to make out that I resigned, which I didn't - and have my redundancy letter to prove it. Any thoughts/advice/legal practices I can approach? Thanks.
#4
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Re: Employment contracts and redundancy
17 February. Before I left I asked if I was free to start work during my "gardening leave" and they stated they had no objection to this, but didn't mention how this might effect my salary payment.
#5
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Re: Employment contracts and redundancy
I think the fact that you started work on the 17th means your company is within their rights to stop paying you.
I don't know of any company that would want to pay an employee who is already working for someone else.
I don't know of any company that would want to pay an employee who is already working for someone else.
#6
Re: Employment contracts and redundancy
Don't know about UAE labour law, but in the UK if a company makes you redundant and offers you a redundancy package no-one is going to expect you to pay back the redundancy money just cuz you are lucky enough (or talented enough) to find a new job....
#7
Re: Employment contracts and redundancy
I would expect it is the same here and it may be better just to forget it.
#8
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Re: Employment contracts and redundancy
This was my assumption too - I know of friends that have been in similar positions in the UK/USA - but in a developing economy of course the law may be different. It was through my own efforts that I got fixed up again swiftly so I dont see why my old company should short change me and profit from my efforts. I am not being greedy - under the terms of my contract they are required to give 2 months paid notice. Anyway, sounds like I need legal advice to clarify the law here. Thanks for all contriubtors.
#9
Re: Employment contracts and redundancy
This was my assumption too - I know of friends that have been in similar positions in the UK/USA - but in a developing economy of course the law may be different. It was through my own efforts that I got fixed up again swiftly so I dont see why my old company should short change me and profit from my efforts. I am not being greedy - under the terms of my contract they are required to give 2 months paid notice. Anyway, sounds like I need legal advice to clarify the law here. Thanks for all contriubtors.
maybe they didnt have to give you the full 2 months notice within the first 6 months. I fell foul of that problem when I quit my first company. Luckily I also had another job to go to.