Government employees in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to have the option to work remotely

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed issued directives on Thursday allowing Dubai government female employees with children undertaking distance learning to work from home

A model of a transformer robot wears a mask and carries a sign saying 'Stay home' outside a shop in Ras Al Khaimah. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National

A cleaner disinfects different surfaces at the H Hotel in Dubai.

Tailor Zeeshan Javed makes a pair of trousers in his workshop with protection measures in place.

A lifeguard watches over the pool at the H Hotel in Dubai.

An employee at Century Financial in Dubai sterilises a conference room.

A manager at Stone Grey, a tailoring business, rearranges dresses.

A hotel receptionist works behind a plastic partition at the H Hotel in Dubai.

Two colleagues keep a safe distance at Century Financial in Dubai.

Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.

Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.

Motorists get laser based DPI tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai.

Government employees who have children enrolled in distance learning will be offered the option to work remotely.

Abu Dhabi media office said the decision was made to enable parents to support their children’s educational journey during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Employees must provide a letter from the school confirming that their children are enrolled in distance learning for the first school semester to be able to work remotely.

The office said that all previous remote working guidelines will remain in place.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources on Friday added that female government employees who have disabled children or pupils in Grade 6 and below will be allowed to work from home.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has also issued directives on Thursday allowing Dubai government female employees with children undertaking distance learning to work from home.

"Today, we directed the implementation of a work from home Policy for Government of Dubai female employees with children undertaking distance learning," said Sheikh Hamad in a tweet.

"The new model starts next week to coincide with the new school year."

The decision will also take into consideration fathers working in the Government of Dubai.

"Fathers working in the Government of Dubai who do not have carers to oversee their children’s distance learning will also be allowed to work from home, enabling them to supervise their children during the school day," said Sheikh Hamdan.

The policy will be effective from next week coinciding with the new school year, under certain conditions.

Mothers of children in Grade 9 and below, including kindergarten, will be eligible to work from home.

Female employees will be allowed to work from home provided their job can be done remotely and does not impact the operations of the government entity they are employed in.

They will also be allowed to work from home based on an approved school schedule and only on the days the children are attending classes remotely.

Abdullah Al Falasi, director-general of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, DGHR, said that the directives of Sheikh Hamdan reflect the Government of Dubai’s approach of taking into consideration the social circumstances of employees.

“It also reflects His Highness’s keenness to ensure family stability and a happy and balanced life for Dubai Government employees,” said Mr Al Falasi.

Female employees working with the government of Sharjah who have children in Grade 9 and below will get a one-week leave during the first week of school and will be allowed to work remotely afterwards.

Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah directed the Sharjah Directorate of Human Resources to grant female employees who have children in Grade 9 and below a one-week leave as of next week.

Sheikh Sultan also ordered the implementation of the remote work system, from the following week.