In April 2020, the UAE Government issued Cabinet Resolution No. 27 for 2020 Regarding Remote Work System in the Federal Government (PDF, 365 KB), in which it was decided to implement a remote work system, on a full time or part time basis, even during ordinary situations. The remote work system continues alongside the traditional work system, wherein the employees execute their work at the entities’ premises.

The resolution applies to current and future Emirati employees who are eligible to work remotely as determined by the federal entities, in coordination with Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) and in accordance with the human resources procedures and electronic systems approved by the Federal Government.

The resolution mentions a set of criteria that ministries and federal entities must observe to determine if a job can be done remotely. Jobs allowed for remote working must be of divisible nature and should be such that it can be automated. Moreover, its inputs can be handled through electronic systems.

Only those employees would be selected for working remotely who:

• occupy a job that can be performed remotely
• are sincere, abide by quality and accuracy of work and confidentiality of information
• have attained performance expectations, at least up to the last performance appraisal
• have not been subject to any administrative penalties for breach of Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for civil service.

Contact FAHR for more information about the remote work system in the federal government.

Conditions and regulations for remote work from within the UAE

Federal entities must adhere to the following when granting its employees the flexibility to work remotely from within the country:

• The position held by the employee must be one that can be fully performed outside the official workplace.
• The job must be automatable.
• The entity must have a secure technological environment that ensures the privacy and confidentiality of data.
• The entity must have an electronic mechanism to monitor the performance of the employee working remotely.
• The duration of remote work from within the country must not exceed 30 days, whether consecutive or non-consecutive, during the year.
• It is not permitted to combine the above-mentioned remote work period with annual leave or unpaid leave.
• Approval for remote work must be granted by the head of the entity or their authorised representative.
• The employee must respond to any request from the federal entity to return to the workplace at any time.
• Any other standards determined by the federal entity in coordination with FAHR.