Employer Record-Keeping Requirements for Gratuity
TL;DR: Employers must keep records for 5 years. This includes contracts, payslips, and gratuity proof. No records? You win your claim. MOHRE fines employers AED 5,000 to AED 50,000 for missing records.
What Employers Must Keep
Your employer must save these records for 5 years:
- Your work contract
- All payroll records
- Leave documents
- End-of-work letters
- Gratuity calculations and payment proof
MOHRE checks these records. Missing records mean big fines.
Documents You Need
Your Work Contract
Signed by you and your employer You get a copy Shows your salary and job details
Pay Records
All monthly payslips Proof you got paid on time Shows any money taken out Shows your basic salary
Work History
Your leave and work days Any promotions Your probation period Contract renewals
Gratuity Math
Written breakdown of the formula Clear calculation for each year Why any money was taken out Proof they paid you (bank or check)
You Can Ask for Records
You can request copies of:
- Your contract
- Your payslips
- Your gratuity calculation
- Any records MOHRE needs
Your employer must give you these within 7 days.
What Happens with No Records
Missing records cause big problems:
- MOHRE fines your employer
- MOHRE believes your claim, not theirs
- Court sides with you
- Work permit problems
How This Protects You
Your employer says "no records"? Here's what happens:
- MOHRE thinks your employer is lying
- You show your claim with any proof you have
- Your employer must prove you're wrong
- You usually get what you claimed
Winning Your Dispute
Your employer has poor records? You win.
- MOHRE's rule: employee wins by default
- Employer must show they paid correctly
- No proof = you get paid
For an instant end-of-service estimate, use our online gratuity calculator UAE.
Disclaimer: MOHRE compliance requirements as of 2025.
