The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued a new remote work policy for private businesses during the coronavirus crisis.
The policy outlines guidelines for employers and employees working remotely to ensure that both companies and employees would be benefited out of this arrangement.
According to the policy, employees working from office should be limited to not more than 30 percent of company’s total workforce. This is particularly applicable to customer service staff.
Businesses are always required to maintain social distancing and disinfection of equipment and facilities.
However, companies operating in telecommunications, infrastructure, supply, health, energy, financial sector, education, food, hospitality, medical industry and cleaning sectors are exempt from this rule.
According to latest regulation for private sector jobs during Coronavirus crisis, the affected businesses can gradually grant their expat employees paid leave, temporary or permanent salary cuts, unpaid leave or can lay them off.
The latest decision by HR Minister, Nasser Thani Al Hamli, says that businesses affected by the precautionary measures taken to contain the spread of the virus, and those seeking to restructure their business, can gradually establish a remote work system, grant paid or unpaid leave to employees, or temporarily or permanently cut salaries.
However, these businesses should provide these employees with accommodation and other dues (except salaries) until their departure from the country or until they get another job.
The new remote work policy that is in place requires firms to set up screening points at the entrance of office and accommodation and check for the virus symptoms twice a day, before leaving for work from home and when arriving at the office, and vice versa.
In case of suspected virus cases, it should be sent to hospitals for testing and taking necessary precautions.
When using the bus, the number of riders per bus should not exceed 25 percent of bus capacity to maintain social distancing between riders.
Firms are required to stop gatherings of any sort and maintain social distancing at the accommodation and canteen.
In case of any suspected coronavirus cases, the businesses should report the same, and maintain health precautions when delivering goods and services.
Remote work system is applicable to all workers whose presence is not required at office, particularly pregnant women, workers aged 55 years and above, people of determination, workers with chronic diseases and respiratory conditions, and women with students below grade 9.
All private sector firms with employees working remotely should use smart applications and provide IT support systems. The firms that support government departments should coordinate to ensure continuity of business.
The Ministry of HR and Emiratisation has allowed private sector businesses affected by the COVID-19 measures to restructure the contractual relationship with employees.
All these changes are to be made gradually on agreement with employees, as these are the precautionary measures taken to contain the spread of coronavirus.
