New remote work system approved for Dubai government: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan

A remote work system has been approved for Dubai government employees.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council said the new system falls in line with the requirements of jobs of the future.

"The system provides employees with several options to work remotely on a permanent, temporary or part-time basis," Sheikh Hamdan said on Twitter.

His Highness added that the Dubai government constantly looks to the future and seeks to find dynamic solutions, through investing in workforce development to continually improve government performance.

"We have entered an era that requires a new mode of thinking, with new tools to match. We are committed to continually enhancing Dubai's leading government work model, as our city possesses the capabilities required to lead the next phase," Sheikh Hamdan explained.

We have approved a system for remote working in the Dubai government, in line with the requirements of jobs of the future. The system provides employees with several options to work remotely on a permanent, temporary or part-time basis.

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 10, 2020

We are working to enhance Dubai's leading government work model, as the government of @HHShkMohd constantly looks to the future and seeks to find dynamic solutions, through investing in workforce development to continually improve government performance.

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 10, 2020

.@HamdanMohammed approves new remote work protocols for #Dubai Government employees. As part of the new Protocols, employees can perform their duties from outside their offices, using remote working technologies https://t.co/9hYGCnY4WI pic.twitter.com/3I9yjCpQEn

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 10, 2020

As part of implementing measures to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, remote work systems were tested from mid-March 2020 to mid-June 2020.

The success of the model implemented earlier in the year places the government sector in a good position to adopt the model in normal circumstances as well. 

Sheikh Hamdan’s decision authorises Director Generals of government entities to issue internal bylaws to regulate remote work procedures in accordance with their requirements.

Each entity has the flexibility to implement the Protocols in accordance with the nature of work undertaken by its staff.

The decision also empowers line managers to objectively determine the eligibility of employees to work remotely based on their nature of work and other criteria.

Employees in roles that can be performed from outside the office will have the option to fully work remotely, while those that need to work from the office some of the time can work remotely on a partial basis. Remote working days for employees can be decided by each department.

The Protocols specify that only those employees whose productivity will not be affected by working offsite will be eligible to work remotely. The performance of employees will be regularly monitored and assessed. 

The decision also allows the Director-General of each entity to permit employees to work remotely from abroad in case they are stranded overseas due to crisis situations.

Employees eligible for remote work should adhere to all rules and regulations and will be eligible for salaries, bonuses, allowances and benefits, as per the Dubai Government’s HR Law.