Qatar Probation Period Rules and Employee Rights: A Complete Guide

The Qatar Labour Law protects the rights of employers and employees working in the Qatar. The Labour Department allows the employers to hire employees on probation to evaluate a new employee’s ability to fit the job position in the company.

Even if the employer recruits the new employee on probation, they must pay the salary and provide other benefits as per the rules. The Labour Department protects employees’ rights in Qatar during the probation period and also after the probation period.

Understanding Probation Period in Qatar

The Labour Department allows the employer to recruit new employees on probation to check their suitability for the said job position. According to this rule, the employer can put a new employee on probation for up to six months.

During the probation period of six months, the employer can observe the employee’s behaviour, capability and skills required to perform the work as per their job position in the company.

After six months, the employer can decide if they want to recruit the employee permanently or terminate them. The employer can terminate the employee also during probation with a notice period of 1 month.

Maximum Probation Period in Qatar

The Article 39 of Qatar Labour Law clearly states the legal rules related to probation period in Qatar.

• Both the employer and the employee must agree for the decided probation period.
• The maximum probation period must not extend six months.
• The employer cannot put the same employee on probation more than once.
• If the employer attempts to extend the probation period longer than six months, it is a clear violation of the Qatar Labour Law Rules.

Employees’ Rights During Probation Period

Many employees/workers come to Qatar from other countries. They should understand what is probation period and how it works in Qatar. Some employees believe that they don’t have any right during probation period but it is not true.

The Qatar Labour Law provides full protection to employees and protect their rights during probation period. Here I provide the legal rights of employees while working on probation in Qatar.

#1. Right to Receive Salary

When working on probation, the employee has full right to receive salary every month as per rules.

#2. Right to Receive Salary on Time

The employee on probation has the right to receive salary on time. If the employer delays the salary payment, the employee can file a complaint against the employer to Labour Department Qatar.

#3. Right to Have Safe Work Space

The employer must provide a safe work space to all the employees including the employees on probation.

#4. Protection Against Discrimination

The employer must not discriminate an employee based on caste, religion, nationality or any other thing.

#5. Right to Annual Leave Accrual

The employee on probation has the right to Annual Leave Accrual same as the employee on permanent position in the company.

#6. Right to Official Public Holidays

The Government of Qatar has announced Public Holidays on which all the employees get a holiday from work. The employees on probation are included in this rule.

Summary:

The Qatar Labour Law has effective rules related to probation period and employees’ rights. The Labour Department not only provide an option to the employer but also protects the rights of the employee during the probation period.

When working on probation, the employee has the right to receive wages on time, to have a safe working place and some other rights. In case you still have a query or doubt, you can ask it in the comment section given below.

FAQs