[UAE] Bullying and harassment and the new labour law

Under the new UAE labour law, harassment and bullying is illegal in the workplace and can be reported to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The National addresses a question from a reader about a manager who is subjecting he and colleagues to racist abuse, sexist suggestions and verbal aggression.

Such behaviour in the workplace is unprofessional and unacceptable. A company of any reasonable size should have a company handbook that details procedures to handle this type of problem.

If a company does not have a handbook, the first step is to approach the manager’s immediate superior with details of the situation. No company should permit such behaviour and it is forbidden under the new UAE Labour Law, which came into effect on February 2, 2022.

Article 14 of the new law states, “Sexual harassment, bullying or any verbal, physical or psychological violence committed against the worker by the employer, his superiors at work, colleagues or the persons who work with him are prohibited.”

In addition, Article 4 of the law, which covers equality and discrimination says, “Any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, national or social origin or disability, which would have the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or prejudicing equal treatment in the employment, the maintenance of a job and the enjoyment of its benefits is prohibited.”

It is possible that an abusive manager may be unaware that their behaviour is illegal but they should be made to understand that there are legal consequences. The information here can be shared or displayed for people to see.

The questioner and their colleagues need to keep a record of all the harassment and bullying, documenting the specifics of each incident and the date. This can also be used to register a complaint in the workplace. Senior management or the owner should not permit such behaviour.

If there are no changes in the manager's behaviour or the company does not act, there are options. Legal advice can be sought, or CB can register a case with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Source: The National

(Links and quote via original reporting)

Under the new UAE labour law, harassment and bullying is illegal in the workplace and can be reported to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The National addresses a question from a reader about a manager who is subjecting he and colleagues to racist abuse, sexist suggestions and verbal aggression.

Such behaviour in the workplace is unprofessional and unacceptable. A company of any reasonable size should have a company handbook that details procedures to handle this type of problem.

If a company does not have a handbook, the first step is to approach the manager’s immediate superior with details of the situation. No company should permit such behaviour and it is forbidden under the new UAE Labour Law, which came into effect on February 2, 2022.

Article 14 of the new law states, “Sexual harassment, bullying or any verbal, physical or psychological violence committed against the worker by the employer, his superiors at work, colleagues or the persons who work with him are prohibited.”

In addition, Article 4 of the law, which covers equality and discrimination says, “Any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, national or social origin or disability, which would have the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or prejudicing equal treatment in the employment, the maintenance of a job and the enjoyment of its benefits is prohibited.”

It is possible that an abusive manager may be unaware that their behaviour is illegal but they should be made to understand that there are legal consequences. The information here can be shared or displayed for people to see.

The questioner and their colleagues need to keep a record of all the harassment and bullying, documenting the specifics of each incident and the date. This can also be used to register a complaint in the workplace. Senior management or the owner should not permit such behaviour.

If there are no changes in the manager's behaviour or the company does not act, there are options. Legal advice can be sought, or CB can register a case with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Source: The National

(Links and quote via original reporting)