Balancing fair disciplinary action with proof of misconduct

Disciplinary penalties governed by the UAE Labour Relations Law

Fairness does not mean leniency

MoHRE explained that fairness in imposing disciplinary penalties is not limited to considering the worker who committed the violation. It also extends to protecting other employees and safeguarding the interests of the establishment itself.

Showing leniency towards serious violations may undermine workplace safety and weaken discipline, while imposing disproportionately severe penalties for minor mistakes may erode workers’ confidence in the fairness of decisions taken against them.

The ministry said: “Proportionality does not mean reducing penalties in all circumstances. Rather, it means selecting the penalty justified by the facts of each case. Article 41 of the same Federal Decree-Law reinforces this approach by prohibiting the imposition of more than one disciplinary penalty for a single violation, reflecting the importance of establishing clear limits on disciplinary action.”

The ministry concluded: “In practical terms, an establishment’s efficiency is not measured by the number of penalties it imposes on its employees, but by its ability to maintain discipline and reduce the recurrence of violations. A reasoned warning may be sufficient to correct behaviour, while other violations may require firmer action to protect the interests of the establishment and its employees.”

Abdullah Rashid Al Hammadi  is an accomplished Emirati journalist with over 45 years of experience in both Arabic and English media. He currently serves as the Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief fo Gulf News. Al Hammadi began his career in 1980 with Al Ittihad newspaper, where he rose through the ranks to hold key editorial positions, including Head of International News, Director of the Research Center, and Acting Managing Editor. A founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and a former board member, he is also affiliated with the General Federation of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists. Al Hammadi studied Information Systems Technology at the University of Virginia and completed journalism training with Reuters in Cairo and London. During his time in Washington, D.C., he reported for Alittihad  and became a member of the National Press Club. From 2000 to 2008, he wrote the widely read Dababees column, known for its critical take on social issues. Throughout his career, Al Hammadi has conducted high-profile interviews with prominent leaders including UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and key Arab figures such as the late Yasser Arafat and former presidents of Yemen and Egypt. He has reported on major historical events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the liberation of Kuwait, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. His work continues to shape and influence journalism in the UAE and the wider Arab world.