Facing Verbal Abuse at Work in Dubai? UAE Law Now Offers Stronger Protection for Employees

Workplace conduct and employee welfare have become central pillars of the UAE’s modern employment framework. With the introduction of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations and the Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Law No. 31 of 2021), employees in Dubai and across the UAE now enjoy stronger legal safeguards against verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation and hostile work environments.

 

Incidents such as shouting at employees, humiliating staff in front of colleagues, or making unreasonable demands outside working hours are no longer treated as “management style issues” -- they are recognised as forms of workplace misconduct that may have legal consequences.

 

This article outlines the protections available under UAE law, the employer’s obligations, and the steps employees can take if they experience verbal or psychological abuse at work.

 

Employer’s Legal Obligation to Provide a Safe Work Environment

Under Article 13(13) of the Employment Law, employers are legally required to ensure a safe and appropriate working environment for all employees. This extends beyond physical safety and includes protection from hostile, humiliating, or abusive treatment.

A workplace where employees are regularly shouted at, belittled, or intimidated would likely be deemed a violation of this obligation.

 

Harassment and Verbal Abuse Are Explicitly Prohibited

The UAE explicitly prohibits all forms of workplace harassment.

Article 14(2) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 states:

“It shall be prohibited to exercise sexual harassment, bullying, or any verbal, physical, or mental violence against the employee by his employer, manager, or colleagues.”

This provision is wide-ranging and covers:

• Verbal abuse or shouting
• Humiliation or bullying
• Intimidation or threats
• Psychological harassment
• Repeated unreasonable demands

The law applies regardless of whether the misconduct comes from a manager, supervisor, co-worker, or anyone interacting with the employee through the workplace.

Criminal Penalties for Public Verbal Abuse

If the verbal abuse involves shouting, insults, or demeaning language in the presence of others, it may constitute a criminal offence under the Crimes and Penalties Law.

Article 427 of Federal Law No. 31 of 2021 provides:

A penalty of imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to Dh5,000 applies if libel or slander is committed directly or over the phone, in the presence of others.

This means that public verbal humiliation -- such as shouting at an employee before colleagues—may amount to a chargeable offence.

Employees Can Resign Without Notice in Cases of Workplace Abuse

The law also protects employees who choose to leave an abusive workplace.

 

Article 45(2) of the Employment Law states:

An employee may quit without notice while retaining full end-of-service entitlements if they are subjected to assault, violence, or harassment at the workplace by the employer or his representative, provided that the incident is reported to the competent authorities and MoHRE within five working days.

This allows victims of verbal or psychological abuse to leave immediately -- but only after reporting the incident to MoHRE or other authorities within the required timeframe.

How to File a Complaint

Employees working for mainland UAE companies may file their complaints with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) through:

• MoHRE hotline (600 590000)
• The MoHRE smartphone app
• Any Tas’heel service centre

The Ministry will typically attempt mediation first. If the matter is more serious -- such as persistent, humiliating verbal abuse -- it may be escalated.

Anonymous complaints:


MoHRE allows reporting of labour violations, including harassment, through channels that do not require immediate disclosure of the complainant’s identity. However, full cooperation and identity verification may eventually be necessary if legal proceedings or inspections follow.

Conclusion

The UAE’s updated labour laws provide robust protections for employees facing verbal abuse, bullying, or hostile behaviour at work. Employers are obliged to maintain respectful and safe workplaces, and behaviour such as shouting, public humiliation, or intimidation can lead to:

• Administrative action
• Criminal penalties
• Labour complaints
• An employee’s right to resign without notice

Employees subjected to such conduct should document incidents and report them promptly to MoHRE to ensure both their dignity and their legal rights are protected.

 

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