A Dubai civil court has ordered an employer to pay Dh57,500 to a worker after a confirmed job offer was pulled back without explanation. The case is a reminder that written promises in the workplace carry real weight here. When someone rearranges their life around an offer, the law can step in.
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What led to the lawsuit
The claimant had accepted a senior procurement officer position carrying a monthly package of Dh19,000. It was not a casual conversation or a verbal hint of future employment. Documents had been exchanged. The offer was clear.
Believing the position was secure, he cancelled his UAE residency visa. He also resigned from his existing job, effectively closing one door before walking through another. Many employees in the country will recognise that moment — once you resign, there’s no easy undo button.
But the new employer did not complete the hiring process. The onboarding stalled. The candidate was not allowed to start work. With no income and no active visa tied to employment, he turned to the court for relief.
Ruling by the court
The civil court looked closely at the correspondence between both sides. Emails and documentation showed that an offer had been made and accepted. That, the court found, was enough to establish a binding understanding.
Judges said the employer’s unilateral decision not to proceed caused real harm. It was not simply a change of mind. It had financial consequences. The court awarded Dh57,500 in compensation, citing lost income, missed opportunity, and the distress linked to the sudden collapse of the agreement.
What the compensation covers
The amount granted reflects more than just unpaid salary. There were the lost wages the claimant reasonably expected under the Dh19,000 monthly package. By resigning from his previous role and cancelling residency arrangements, he had given up an existing livelihood. That decision could not be reversed once the offer disappeared.
Finally, the court acknowledged non-material damage — the strain of unexpected unemployment. Anyone who has faced a sudden gap in income in the UAE’s fast-moving job market understands how unsettling that can be.
The Dubai civil court’s decision to award Dh57,500 reinforces a simple principle: commitments count. An offer accepted in good faith cannot be brushed aside without consequences.
For workers navigating career moves in the UAE, and for companies making hiring decisions, this case is likely to stay in conversation for some time.
