Dubai Will Announce the Most Number of Employees Working From Home
The UAE is breaking ranks with the rest of the Gulf and moving the weekend to Sunday and Saturday for state employees. The UAE is trying to attract international investment and business to the country and compete with Saudi Arabia for regional supremacy. The change is one of the many measures to attract international attention. After ten years as the Middle East’s commercial capital, the UAE is looking for ways to reinvent itself as a global business hub.
Dubai’s new working week
According to reports, the UAE’s government has approved a new working week structure to align itself with other global trade powers. A shorter workweek has been proven to increase productivity and improve employee wellbeing. Other countries have embraced the new schedule, including Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, and Japan. Both countries have announced trials of the new working week and deemed it beneficial for their employees. The new workweek is set to take effect in early December.
Besides the new working week, the UAE also plans to introduce some changes in its penal code to boost its international competitiveness. A recent initiative to decriminalize unmarried cohabitation and loosen restrictions on alcohol consumption is being considered by many. The country also aims to attract $150 billion worth of direct foreign investments over the next decade. The new working week announcement is part of its overall strategy to keep up with the global economy and maintain its competitive edge.
The new working week will also grant extra days off to employees. While the prior labor law exempted managers and supervisors from working overtime, the new law will allow for a few exceptions. While it is still unknown whether the new working week will allow for a day off on Friday, workers will be given an extra day off as long as the employer agrees with them. In addition, employees of private sector companies will be entitled to one day off every week.
Government employees’ rights to work from home
A new government policy in Dubai will allow selected federal departments to give their employees the right to work from home. This move is intended to limit the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, which is affecting some localities in the region. The new policy applies to state employees, both in the local and federal sectors. However, certain departments, such as emergency departments and hospital workers, will be exempted from the new law. Starting on Tuesday, about 25 percent of the workforce will be able to work from home.
The directive also outlines specific working hours and breaks for the private sector in Dubai. Previously, it was possible for a government employee to work from home with the assistance of a spouse or partner. This new policy allows female employees with children to work from home if they are enrolled in a distance learning program. Additionally, all federal government employees in Dubai must start working from home on March 25. In addition, all commercial properties in the city must close on April 8.
The new law stipulates that the burden of proof lies with the employee when filing a complaint. Evidence must be obtained through legitimate channels. Furthermore, UAE law prohibits recording conversations without consent. If the employee files a complaint, the evidence acquired must be admissible in a court of law. In this way, the new rule ensures that government employees will not lose their jobs and retain the best talent.
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has issued a circular for work from home policies that applies to female employees in federal bodies and ministries. The circular outlines the requirements for working from home for mothers with children in Grade 6 or higher, and mothers with chronic illnesses. If the work-from-home policy does not interfere with overall workflow, then remote working will be permitted. The government’s work-from-home policy should be amended to reflect this new policy.
The law on remote working is still developing, and employers need to take advice on the legal requirements in their jurisdiction. For example, private companies in the capital can only allow thirty per cent of their workforce to return to the office. In Northern Emirates, employers can allow up to 60 per cent of their workforce to return. The law also requires employers to allow two metres between desks. Additionally, employers may have to change the physical layout of their office towers. Apple chief executive Tim Cook, however, faced backlash after his desire to have his staff return to the office.
Salary top-ups
It is a good time for Emiratis to start thinking about working in the private sector, as the UAE is a prime target for expats and the economy in general is improving. Emiratis currently earn about AED 5,000 per month on average, depending on their education, family size, and work experience. The UAE government is looking to increase its Emirati population by 10,000 by 2020, and salary top-ups are just one way to attract more workers to Dubai.
The UAE is a prime example of salary inflation, according to Mercer TRS research. A recent study of 500 UAE companies shows that the average annual salary hike in 2020 is 3.8%. However, 19.4% of organisations froze their salaries for 2020, before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was fully felt. A further 17% delayed salary top-ups for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which typically lasts about six months.
Flexibility for employers
In recent years, many companies in the US and Europe have embraced flexible working arrangements as a key part of their corporate culture. But is the UAE following suit? According to a recent IWG survey, more than sixty per cent of UAE employees work outside the office at least once a week and 30 per cent spend more than half their working week away from their company’s head office. The UAE should be ready to take advantage of the growing trend in this respect.
As part of a recent reform of the UAE labor laws, the government is introducing flexible working practices that will enhance the work environment for foreign workers. The changes will take effect in January 2016, and will include changes to existing laws regarding employment contracts, termination, and job changes within the country. As of now, employers must present employees with a ministry-approved standard employment contract. This contract cannot be altered without the permission of the ministry. There are also specific conditions for a worker’s termination.
The new law will also make it easier for employers to offer more flexible working arrangements for their employees. For instance, the law has recently changed the definition of flexible working arrangements in Dubai to include a “shared-job” model, where two people work the same job but split the pay with each other. The flexibility offered by this model will allow both employers and employees to harness different talent and cut down on operational costs. The new law also specifies what a flexible contract should include, including flexi-time, part-time work, remote working, and a variety of other arrangements.
