Do I have to keep working and get paid during my notice period in the UAE?

During the notice period in the UAE, the employment relationship continues in full. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the worker is expected to keep performing their duties and the employer must keep paying the normal wage for the entire notice period — whether it was the worker who resigned or the employer who terminated. The notice period counts as ongoing service, so entitlements such as end-of-service gratuity continue to accrue until the last working day. If either side prefers not to work out the notice, they can agree on payment in lieu of notice instead, where the wage for the notice period is paid and the worker is released. An employer cannot simply stop paying you or cut your benefits because you are 'on notice'. The law also recognises that a worker serving notice may need time to look for new work, subject to the contract terms. Keep your payslips through the notice period as a record. If your pay or benefits are reduced during notice, you can raise it with MOHRE and compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI for advice.