Module 1: Introduction to Ethical HR Practice
Introduction to the UAE legal system
Overview and review of critical statutory enactments and the sponsorship system of the UAE labor law
Who is covered by the labor law? Who is not included?
Free zones vs. mainland
DIFC and ADGM
UAE Nationals
Holding employee passports
Module 2: Recruitment and Employment Contracts
Immigration and sponsorship
Visas for working in the UAE
Offer letters and employment contracts
Fixed vs. unlimited agreements
Background checks and Recruitment Issues
Emiratisation and employing nationals
Employment contracts
– International contracts
– Local contracts
Fixed term vs. unfixed term contracts
Temporary workers
Verifying status and credentials; background checks
Revocation of offers or deals
The interplay between employment status and visa status for recruits
Working on a visit visa
Visa transfer
Module 3: Operating the UAE as a Regional Hub
Dual residency and dual employment
Payroll issues
Secondments
Unique issues for foreign countries: the interplay between local law and home-country law
Discrimination
Data protection
Special points for cross-border employees
– Can an individual hold a residence visa from more than one GCC state?
– Whose labor law applies?
Emiratisation and the recruitment of host country national employees
Module 4: Employee Benefits
Salary and allowances
Tax and VAT
End of service gratuity
Pension/ social security
Working hours, overtime and the 5-day work week
Leave entitlements
Holiday leave and air tickets
Sick leave
Maternity leave
Emergency leave and other types leave
Handling employee benefits issues during a merger/acquisition
Identifying another benefit restructuring
Module 5: Health and Safety Obligations
Private Medical Insurance
Accidents and workman’s compensation
Accidental death
Reporting processes
Medical facilities
Module 6: Termination and Employee Resignation
Termination process and permitted reasons for termination
Termination “for cause” and the disciplinary process
Poor performance and misconduct
Restructuring and redundancy
Recovering costs from employees
Arbitrary termination – what constitutes arbitrary dismissal?
Termination after sick leave or maternity leave
Terminating UAE national employees
Notice periods and garden leave
Employee entitlements upon termination
The six-month ban and the one-year ban
Special issues regarding the termination of UAE national employees
Notice periods and garden leave
Employee entitlements upon termination
Module 7: Employment Disputes
Initiated by the employer
Initiated by the employee
The Ministry of Labour process
Labour and employment disputes in the local courts
Protecting employer data and confidential information
Non-compete, confidentiality, non-solicitation clauses
Mock labor tribunal and clinic
The interplay between employment status and visa status for terminated employees