7 Cases Where You Can Leave Your Job Without Notice in Saudi Arabia

Learn the 7 cases where you can leave your job without notice in Saudi Arabia while retaining your statutory rights under Article 81 of the Labor Law.

Normally, leaving a job involves following the required notice period. However, Saudi Labor Law allows workers to leave their jobs without giving notice in certain circumstances.

Under Article 81 of the Saudi Labor Law, a worker may leave the job without notice while retaining their statutory rights if any of the following situations apply.

1. Employer Fails to Meet Essential Obligations

You may leave without notice if your employer fails to fulfill essential obligations towards you under your employment contract or Saudi Labor Law.

This covers essential contractual or statutory obligations that the employer is required to meet.

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2. You Were Misled About the Job or Working Conditions

You may leave without notice if the employer or their representative committed fraud when you were hired regarding the conditions or circumstances of the work.

In other words, if important working conditions were misrepresented when you entered into the employment contract, Article 81 may apply.

3. You Are Assigned Completely Different Work

An employer generally cannot assign you work that is essentially different from what was agreed upon without your consent.

If you are assigned substantially different work without your consent in violation of Article 60 of the Saudi Labor Law, you may have the right to leave without notice.

4. Assault or Immoral Act Against You or Your Family

A worker may leave immediately if the employer, a member of the employer’s family, or the manager in charge commits a violent assault or an immoral act against the worker or any member of the worker’s family.

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5. Cruel, Unjust or Insulting Treatment

Article 81 also covers situations where the treatment by the employer or manager in charge is characterized by cruelty, injustice or insult.

In such circumstances, the worker may leave without serving the normal notice period.

6. Serious Workplace Safety or Health Hazard

You may leave without notice if there is a serious hazard at the workplace threatening your health or safety.

However, Article 81 specifically requires that the employer is aware of the hazard but fails to take measures indicating its removal.

7. Employer’s Actions Force You to Appear as the One Ending the Contract

Article 81 also protects workers where the employer or their representative effectively causes the worker to appear as the party terminating the employment relationship.

The law specifically refers to situations involving the employer’s actions, particularly unjust treatment or violation of the terms of the employment contract.

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Do You Lose Your Rights If You Leave Without Notice?

Not necessarily.

Article 81 states that a worker may leave without notice in the circumstances listed above without prejudice to their statutory rights.

This distinction is important. Leaving a job under Article 81 is different from simply deciding to leave employment without completing the applicable notice requirements.

Workers considering relying on Article 81 should therefore make sure their circumstances actually fall within one of the cases specified by the law and keep relevant documents or other evidence related to the issue.

What Does Article 81 of Saudi Labor Law Say?

In summary, a worker may leave a job without notice when:

The employer fails to fulfill essential contractual or statutory obligations.
The employer or representative committed fraud regarding working conditions when contracting.
The worker is assigned essentially different work without consent in violation of Article 60.
The employer, their family member or manager commits a violent assault or immoral act against the worker or their family.
The employer or manager treats the worker with cruelty, injustice or insult.
A serious workplace health or safety hazard exists, the employer knows about it, and fails to take measures indicating its removal.
The employer’s actions, unjust treatment or contract violations cause the worker to appear as the party terminating the contract.

These circumstances are specifically provided under Article 81 of the Saudi Labor Law.

Note: This article is intended as a general guide based on the Saudi Labor Law. Individual employment disputes can depend on the specific circumstances and evidence involved.