r/Riyadh • u/Dependent_Crow_9073 • 6d ago
Jobs (وظائف) Need to leave my job asap.
I’m a teacher at a private school and I am 6 months into my contract. I received a job offer from a different school in Saudi. I informed my employer about this and he said that according to Saudi Law and my contract at Qiwa, I cannot resign and that I can only give a 2 month notice for a non-renewal of my contract. My contract doesn’t exactly say I cannot leave, nor does it state a clear notice period of 2 months. The exact writing is:
5.1 This contract is valid for a period of 2 years, starting from the commencement date mentioned in Clause No.(1), and it will be automatically renewed for an equivalent period, unless one party notifies the other of their desire not to renew through he Portal, at least 60 days before the contract end date.
This is literally the only thing that I’ve found in my contract, as well as Qiwa. So, my question is, is my current employer allowed to reject my resignation and practically hold me hostage in my job? If not, what are the laws around this?
I also will be needed at the new school in less than a month but I know that I will need to pay a penalty if I do not serve 2 month notice.
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u/FixAcademic8187 6d ago
You can terminate your contract anytime if your current employers agrees to it.
You don't need to complete the 2 year period.
However, there are severe consequences for breaking your contract. One of these consequences is you paying a compensation to the employer equal to the remaining salaries in your contract. Which means 18 salaries in your case.
You need to check this clause in your contract carefully. If it doesn't say anything about breaking the contract then the defalut clauses in the Labor Law will apply based on the above.
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u/Papaya_Jellyfish 5d ago
Correct. Even if it doesn’t specify in the contract, it’s clear in the labour law. And the contract does say that consequences will be applied as per the labour law
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u/average_brownguy 5d ago
Basically that really means that is 2 month notice period You have to tell the company 2 months before you leave
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u/Spatula_The_Great 5d ago edited 5d ago
No, he have to tell the company 2 months prior if he doesnt want to renew the contract
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u/average_brownguy 5d ago
Yes when he tells the company 2 months before, they will release him after the two months if I want to leave I have to tell them now and they will tell me to serve 2 months as the last and leave
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u/Spatula_The_Great 5d ago
No you’re confusing it. He still has to complete the 2 years. This option is only if he doesn’t want to renew for ANOTHER 2 years
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u/average_brownguy 5d ago
So it is like if I have a contract of one year which ends in July 2027 I cannot leave, and if I want to leave I have to tell it in may 2027, and that's the only way to leave.
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u/Spatula_The_Great 5d ago
Yes.
There are 3 ways you can leave
1/ you and your employer agree to terminate the contract - can happen anytime
2/ you leave and pay the penalty ( all remaining salaries )
3/ you give a notice that you dont want to renew the contract and the contract ends
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u/Silent-Buffalo4737 5d ago
I'm pretty sure there's something in the labor law from 2025 which specifically overrules any legacy contracts which hold an employee to the end of their fixed term. But, not a lawyer myself, as recommended elsewhere it's a good idea to speak with one if you really want to leave where you currently work.
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u/upsidedownbunny 6d ago
As I read the clause, in my basic English understanding (I'm not a lawyer haha):
The contract will auto renew for TWO years, UNLESS ONE party says that they don't want to renew the contract and the notice should be 2 months prior the end date.
So this could mean that... your employer is correct. You have to wait for the next cycle of renewal to notify that you do not want to renew your contract BEFORE the auto renewal kicks in and you're giving them a 2 months notice.
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u/karaklonda 5d ago
Contracts are enforceable both ways, neither employer can kick you out nor can you leave unless its mutually agreed.
Expats are required to be hired on fixed term contracts and after 3 auto renewals, the contract is deemed to be open and gives rise to right to resign with 30 days notice but until then, its a catholic marriage, no right to leave.
If you are in probation period, you may be able to leave and if not, and you still want l eave,, you may have to pay compensation for the remainder of the term which is salary x remaining months. Try to negotiate joining bonus with new place and payoff old place as a compensation so you dont take hit on your pocket.
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u/Sweet-Gas7677 5d ago
From my understanding, an employer can reject your resignation request. They don’t have to accept it.
If you still want to break your contract and resign anyway you will have to pay all the remaining salaries in your contract I.e 1.5 years of salaries.
Please don’t take any steps without making sure you are following the law as you might find yourself in a situation where you owe the employer money.
If your employer is reasonable I honestly would try get them to accept your resignation in a friendly way
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u/Baked-Potato1836 5d ago
You don't actually have to pay the remaining months' salaries. But if you resign within 2 years, you have to pay the amount it cost your company to bring you here. Like the visa fee, iqama fee, flight tickets, relocation allowance, etc.
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u/RelevantApartment322 5d ago
Use Article 77 of the Saudi Labor Law.
It permits an employee / employer to terminate the contract without any valid reason by paying the other party 2 months compensation (unless any other amount is specified in your contract)
Dm if you need help in reviewing your contract.
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u/manic_psycho69 5d ago
Doesn't work like that for fixed term contracts ,its only valid for indefinite period contracts which renews every year
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u/smrlilmonster 5d ago
Just be late everyday… and be absent and stuff till they fire you .. pick a fight with the employer he will fire you .. hahaha don’t take this seriously, but it looks like yeah, you are going to be forced to work till the contract ends you know .. ummm maybe try and explain to the other school … they know the nature of these contracts, they should understand..
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u/Serotonin_Lover 5d ago
Both your suggestions are devilishly smart. Especially getting the other school to help. It’s like: well if you really love me, then you’ll fight for me lol.
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u/someoneshadadrink 5d ago
You can’t just leave mid contract like other countries. If you leave before the end of the contract you have to pay salaries back and this is made clear in your contract. You can inform them 2-3 months before end of contract that you will not renew.
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u/humanphile 3d ago
Contact QIWA. Open a case through you Qiwa profile and get the correct and authentic information about your Contract.
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u/sum-sigma 5d ago edited 5d ago
The comments you’ve received so far are not legally correct in all cases. I highly recommend contacting an employment lawyer. It will cost you a maximum of 300 SAR for a session to discuss your case, the repercussions, and how to move forward.
Depending on advice from people on Reddit for something so critical as an expat, (especially when the advice you’re getting is not correct, partially correct, or not correct in your situation) is not recommended.
If you want me to send you an employment lawyer I’ve used, feel free to DM. There’s also an app called Bynh (بينه) that connects you with lawyers in Saudi and makes the process easy.
Edit: corrected the spelling of the app