What if my employer reported me absconding while I was on sick leave in the UAE?

If you were on genuine, approved sick leave and your employer still filed an absconding report, that report may be challengeable, because absconding is meant to reflect an unjustified absence rather than a legitimate, documented one. Start by collecting your evidence: medical certificates, leave approvals, communication with your employer about your absence, and any HR records confirming the leave was authorised. Then identify where the report sits: MOHRE for a labour-side report, or ICP / GDRFA (Dubai) on the immigration side. You can submit a grievance to MOHRE or a review request to the immigration authority, presenting your documents to show the absence was lawful and not abandonment. If the authority accepts your evidence, the report can be cancelled, and an employer who filed it improperly may face consequences. Acting quickly is wise, since an unresolved report can affect a new visa or re-entry. Because the exact procedure and any fees are set officially, confirm them with MOHRE or the immigration authority. For help presenting medical-leave evidence effectively, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI who handle labour disputes.