Article 80 of Saudi Labor Law: Termination w/o benefits

Article 80 of Saudi Labor Law provides 9 special scenarios under which an employer can terminate a workman without paying End of Service Benefits, or notice period. However, you are still entitled to be paid the pending salaries.

Keep in mind that the termination under Article 80 can only be made after the employee is given a fair chance to explain the reasons for objecting to the termination. Here are the 9 scenarios;

Article 80 of the Saudi Labor Law

1. Worker assaults employer

If a worker assaults employer or any of his representatives during the work or by reason of work, the employer can terminate him under Article 80 (1).

2. Employee fails to perform his duties

The employer is entitled to terminate under Article 80 (2) if an employee does not;

• Perform his essential obligations.
• Obey legitimate orders.
• Follow safety instructions.

3. Worker Misconduct

In case of misconduct, dishonesty, or infringement by an employee, the employer is entitled to terminate him without paying any notice period under Article 80 (3) of Saudi Labor Law.

4. Intentional mistake

An act of committing a deliberate mistake with an intention to cause damage to the employer can lead to termination without benefits under Article 80 (4) provided that the employer reports the act to the relevant authorities within 24 hours.

5. Forgery of documents

An employee can be terminated without any ESB under Article 80 (5) if he is involved in the forgery of documents.

6. Probation

An employee can be terminated under Article 80 (6) during the probation period. 

7. Absent from Work

The employer can terminate a worker without any benefits under Article 80 (7) of Saudi Labor Law if he is absent from work for;

• 30 days in a year and the employer has sent a written warning after 20 days.
• 15 consecutive days and the employer has sent a written warning after 10 days.

8. Undue benefits 

If an employee takes any personal benefits from his authority at work, the employer can terminate him under Article 80 (8).

9. Breach of confidentiality

An act of disclosing work-related, industrial, or commercial secrets to someone who is not authorized to receive such information can lead to termination without benefits under Article 80 (9).

Moreover, the public prosecution of Saudi Arabia has said in one of its tweets that disclosing confidential information could lead to a jail term of 20 years and a fine of SR 1 million.

Article 80 is actually reciprocal to Article 81 of Saudi Labor Law where the right of resignation without notice is given to the employee.