With the ongoing regional conflict in the region and the larger US, Israel and Iran war going on, UAE residents have been in a consistent state of anxiousness over the state of their security. In this situation, many residents have opted to work from home in order to maintain their professional spirits and also ensure the safety of their own and their family.
Now, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) has laid out the details of how remote work arrangement operates in the private sector, detailing everything from working hours and leave entitlements to employer obligations. This is aimed at providing clarity to both companies and employees navigating hybrid and remote arrangements in the current situation and the larger system.
What is defined as remote work?
Remote work allows employees to perform their duties from outside the workplace, completely or partially, with the help of digital communication tools. During the period, employees are entitled to salary, defined working hours, leaves and workplace protection.
What are employers required to do?
One of the first steps in a remote work situation is to issue a clear and well-defined employment contract covering all vital aspects of salary, role, hours and duration. The employing companies must adhere to legal working hours and grant rest days while also allowing leaves.
They can not charge hiring fees and must pay all dues when the contract ends while also clearly defining tasks.
What insurance must employers provide?
Employers are required to provide health insurance for remote workers and worker protection insurance covering unpaid wages (up to Dh20,000).
What are employees required to do?
Employees are responsible to complete the assigned tasks within the working hours and be prompt with their response. They must use the company equipment properly, attend virtual meetings when required on time and must submit reports and work data when asked.
What are the working hours during remote work arrangement?
During a remote work arrangement, employees are required to work for 8 hours per day and up to 48 hours per week. They are required to be paid overtime if their working hours exceed and must be allowed daily rest breaks as well. Employers must provide the employees with at least one paid day off, weekly.
What are the rights for leaves during remote work arrangement?
Employees are entitled to annual leaves of 30 days per year after one year of service, and pro-rated leaves if they have worked for a lesser period of time.
They can ask for sick leaves for 15 days of full pay, 30 days of half pay and 45 days unpaid. Maternity leave can last for 60 days with 45 days of full pay and 15 days of half pay. Employees can not be terminated due to pregnancy.
Other leaves such as parental leaves can last for 10 working days, with bereavement leave lasting for 3 to 5 days while study or national service leave depend on conditions of employment.
Employees must be warned of violations
While your contract may allow remote work, it is vital to ensure that you do not violate any norms and cause losses to yourself and the organisation. Violations include not responding during work hours, delaying in completion of work tasks, doing personal work during office hours, assigning tasks to others without approval and logging in but not working. This can lead to termination in some cases, depending on the employer.
