Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, recently approved the new Remote Working Protocols of the Dubai Government. Speaking about the development, Sheikh Hamdan affirmed that it is the top priority of the Dubai government to improve its efficiency and capabilities by harnessing its human capital assets in the upcoming phase.

He stated that it is significant to develop the government's talent and enable its employees to maintain pace with ongoing changes in a bid to consolidate Dubai’s pioneering global position.

Sheikh Hamdan added that these efforts are in line with the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aimed at harnessing modern technologies to foster dynamic conditions that are necessary for the next generation of jobs.

In this regard, he noted that adopting remote work measures has played a key role in ensuring business continuity amid the pandemic circumstances by offering flexibility to be innovative and creative to all employees. As the emirate enters a new phase, it will be marked with new and innovative tools and strategies to continue the efforts and work of the government.

"In the years ahead, we will be increasingly relying on the creativity of our human capital. Helping government employees make a positive impact in the workplace is a key priority for us," His Highness added.

Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the UAE's commitment to ensure that Dubai continues to remain at the frontline of global developments in the administrative work systems. He added that the government is continuously working to explore proactive solutions to address future challenges and boost its readiness to harness new opportunities with the help of the right tools and work conditions.

According to the new remote working protocols, employees will be able to perform their duties from outside their offices with the help of remote working technologies. These new protocols are aimed at providing flexible working models to employees in a bid to achieve the objectives of the government as well as the best international practices.

Amid the prevailing pandemic circumstances, these protocols are aimed at enhancing corporate agility, efficiency and talent retention in addition to promoting work-life balance and continuity of business activities.

Responding to the development, Abdulla Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR), stressed the Department's keenness to fulfil the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aimed at strengthening government efficiency by boosting its human resources, noting its significance to enhance the performance of government and its journey towards realising its future goals.

Al Falasi also noted that Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed's decision to approve remote working protocols will help in boosting talent retention and support the potential of the government to work in line with the emerging market trends. Al Falasi added that remote working will help in minimising operation costs, reducing traffic jams and increasing productivity in addition to providing social and economic benefits.

In line with the measures implemented by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19 outbreak, authorities had tested remote work systems from mid-March 2020 to mid-June 2020. Noting its success earlier this year, the government sector believed that it is in a good position to adopt the remote working model in normal circumstances also.

As per the decision taken by Sheikh Hamdan, Director Generals of government entities have been authorised to issue internal bylaws to regulate remote work procedures as per their requirements. Every entity has been given the flexibility to implement the remote working protocols in line with the nature of work performed by its employees. At the same time, line managers have been given the power to objectively decide the eligibility of employees to work remotely in accordance with the nature of their work and other criteria.

Each department can decide the remote working days for employees in line with the nature of work. If employees are working in such roles that can be performed from outside the office, they will have an option to fully work remotely. However, for employees who need to work from the office, a system can be put into effect allowing them to work remotely on a partial basis for some time.

It has been specified in the protocols that only those employees whose productivity will not be affected by working remotely will be allowed to work remotely, noting that their performance will be regularly monitored and assessed.

At the same time, Director-General of each entity will be allowed to permit employees to work remotely from foreign countries in case they are stranded overseas due to current circumstances.

It is important for employees eligible for remote work to comply with all rules and regulations and they will be eligible for salaries, bonuses, allowances, incentives and other benefits, in accordance with the HR Law of the Dubai Government.

WAM