Employees in the UAE may sometimes be asked by their employer to move from one workplace to another, including a transfer to a company office located in a different emirate. Such a decision can significantly increase daily commuting expenses or even require an employee to relocate closer to the new workplace.

Under the rules governing employment relationships in the UAE, the workplace is one of the essential details that should be stated in an employment contract, together with the employee’s position, salary, working hours, benefits, contract duration and other key terms.

An employee who is informed about a transfer should therefore first review the employment contract and check the workplace specified in it, as well as any provisions allowing the employer to assign the employee to other branches or locations operated by the company.

The issue becomes particularly important when changing the workplace creates additional financial costs for the employee, especially when the new office is located in another emirate and requires substantially longer daily travel or relocation.

UAE employment regulations provide protection in this area by placing the financial costs arising from a change in workplace on the employer. These costs may include providing accommodation or paying a transportation allowance where such expenses result from the transfer.

Keeping the employee’s salary and other employment conditions unchanged does not necessarily remove the issue of additional expenses created directly by moving the employee to a different workplace.

For example, if an employee currently lives and works in Sharjah but is transferred to the employer’s headquarters in Dubai, the employment contract and the additional costs created by the move become important factors when determining the rights and obligations of both parties.

This does not mean that every transfer from one emirate to another can automatically be rejected by an employee. The circumstances depend on the employment contract, the agreed terms, the nature of the transfer and whether the employer complies with the legal obligations associated with changing the workplace.

Employees facing such a decision should carefully review the workplace stated in their contract and any clauses dealing with assignments to other company locations. Keeping records of additional commuting or relocation expenses may also be important if a dispute develops.

If the employee and employer cannot resolve a disagreement concerning the transfer or the associated expenses, the employee may approach the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for guidance on the applicable employment rights and obligations.

The rules highlight why employees should carefully review workplace provisions before signing an employment contract, particularly when joining companies operating branches across several emirates, as these terms may later affect both working arrangements and everyday expenses.