The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has released a detailed guide explaining how remote and hybrid work is regulated in the UAE’s private sector, and the key takeaway is simple: working from home doesn’t mean relaxed rules. Here’s a lowdown on what the rules are:

Are remote workers treated differently?
Not really. Employees working remotely are entitled to the same salary, working hours, leave, and legal protections as office-based staff. The only thing that changes is where the work gets done.

What are employers required to do?
Companies must:

• Provide clear contracts covering salary, role, and working hours
• Ensure legal work limits (8 hours/day, 48 hours/week)
• Grant all leave benefits (annual, sick, maternity, etc.)
• Provide necessary devices and tools
• Pay dues on time and avoid charging recruitment fees
• Monitor performance responsibly

What’s expected from employees?
Remote workers must:

• Complete tasks themselves (no outsourcing)
• Stick to agreed working hours
• Respond promptly and attend virtual meetings
• Protect company data and use tools properly
• Deliver work on time and maintain quality

What about working hours and overtime?

• Standard: 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week
• Extra hours = paid overtime
• At least one weekly day off is mandatory

How does leave work?

• Annual leave: 30 days after 1 year
• Sick leave:
  • 15 days full pay
  • 30 days half pay
  • 45 days unpaid
• Maternity leave: 60 days (45 full + 15 half pay)
• Additional: parental, bereavement, study, and national service leave

Can employers monitor remote workers?
Yes, but monitoring must be reasonable and respect privacy.

What counts as misconduct?

• Ignoring work during official hours
• Missing deadlines repeatedly
• Doing personal tasks during work time
• Delegating tasks without approval
• Logging in without actually working

Serious violations can lead to disciplinary action or termination.

How is performance measured?
Not by being “online” but by output and quality of work.

Why this matters
Remote work offers flexibility in location, not in responsibility. The rules make it clear: professional expectations remain just as strict as in the office.

Work-from-home in the UAE is structured, regulated, and performance-driven, same rules, different setting.

Dubai Police have issued a public advisory warning residents against the spread of misinformation, stressing that relying on unverified sources can threaten community safety and stability.

In a statement shared on social media, authorities highlighted how the speed of modern communication has made it easier for inaccurate information to circulate, sometimes deliberately to create panic and anxiety.

Officials emphasised that individuals play a critical role in maintaining public order, noting that sharing unverified content can have serious consequences. “What we share matters,” the statement said, adding that misinformation can undermine public safety.

Residents have been urged to act responsibly online by verifying information before sharing and relying only on official sources for updates.

The advisory also referenced warnings from UAE Public Prosecution, which confirmed that individuals who repost or circulate rumours—even if they are not the original creators—can face legal action under the country’s cybercrime laws.

Authorities reiterated that responsible digital behaviour is essential to protecting both individual and community well-being.

In a major step toward digital transformation, the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport has announced it will stop accepting cash payments across all its customer service centres starting April 1, 2026.

Residents will now be required to pay all service fees through approved digital platforms such as TAMM, DARI, and Smarthub, or via credit cards at service centres.

The move marks a significant shift towards a fully cashless system across all entities under DMT, aimed at improving efficiency, reducing processing times, and enhancing the overall customer experience.

While cash payments will no longer be accepted, authorities noted that in exceptional cases, payments may still be made via direct bank deposits or secure digital payment links sent to customers’ phones.

The transition is part of Abu Dhabi’s broader push to adopt smart, seamless government services and accelerate its digital economy.