Abu Dhabi court rejects firm's plea to obligate ex-employee to return kids' educational grant

The Abu Dhabi Labour Court – First Instance rejected a lawsuit filed by a company against one of its employees, demanding the repayment of Dhs155,960, which had received during his employment as educational assistance for his children.

The court stated that the employer has no right to recover the educational grants given for the children during their studies.

In detail, the company filed its lawsuit after submitting a complaint to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's Labour Department against the employee but the Department referred the dispute to the court, where the company demanded that the employee be obligated to pay them an amount of Dhs155,960, along with fees and expenses.

The company stated that it had an employment contract with the employee in 2015, with a basic monthly salary of Dhs18,440 and a total of Dhs43,913 and that he resigned.

The company added that they provided him with educational assistance for his children through bank transfers to his account.

The court clarified that it is established from the documents and the company's admission in the lawsuit that it grants its employees educational assistance for their children during their employment, and the employer is not entitled to reclaim the educational amounts paid while the employee was working. Therefore, the court rejected the company's request.