Analysis of the number of sick days taken off by UAE employees in the past three years has offered a snapshot of how businesses may be forced to adapt to retain staff.
Bayzat, a business in Dubai managing HR, employee benefits, insurance and payroll services in the private sector, analysed the number of sick days taken since 2019.
From the coronavirus pandemic period on, data showed sick leave increased on average by three days per person in the companies surveyed, from 20 calendar days in 2019 to 23 in 2021.
The amount of time taken off also considerably increased.
We have decided that if any of our employees get stranded out of the country, or has to stay away from the office because of a covid-related illness we don't dock this from their annual sick leave
Hasib Khan,
uDrive founder
In 2019, before the first coronavirus cases were diagnosed in the UAE, just six per cent of employees on sick leave took more than three days off.
Two years later, the number of workers taking three days or more has increased to almost 16 per cent.
“A one-size-fits-all approach to developing company sick leave policies should no longer be relevant post Covid-19,” said Ayman Kattan, chief people officer, at Bayzat.
“The line between an employee’s personal responsibility towards their health and a company’s responsibility toward employees is rapidly being blurred.
“If an employee catches Covid-19 as a result of being mandated to work from the office, should they be required to take responsibility and use up their sick leave allowance?
“An employer’s readiness, willingness and capability to offer workplace flexibility is undoubtedly a precursor to deciding their approach towards sick leave policy.”
Mr Kattan said the opposite could also become a factor for employees working remotely, who could take more responsibility for their health by getting vaccinated, for example.
Data from Bayzat was gleaned from more than 60,000 employees working in Dubai.
Company working policies are likely to continue to face disruption as more offices and workplaces return to full capacity.
Sectors reliant on manpower and public contact, such as the hospitality industry, are likely to be the most affected by any changes to sick leave allowance.
“Sick leave allowance is no longer a major component in the candidate mindset,” Mr Kattan said.
“At Bayzat, our pre-Covid candidate interviews comprised of questions aimed at deducing reasons we should hire someone.
“Today, we are constantly being asked by candidates why they should come work for us.
“Preparing ourselves to give an authentic answer to that question is key for us to attract top talent.”
As the pandemic began to unfold in May 2020, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation called on the private sector to deal with employees who became infected with Covid-19 under federal law.
The law includes an allowance of sick leave of no more than 90 days on completion of a probation period.
The first 15 days of sick leave are granted with full pay, followed by 30 days on half pay and the following 45 days unpaid.
The ministry encouraged businesses not to terminate an employee’s service if Covid-19 is diagnosed and "shoulder their social and legal responsibilities" towards employees.
Complaints against unfair dismissal in Covid cases are referred to the labour courts for arbitration.
In Dubai, car rental company uDrive founder Hasib Khan said supporting staff during the pandemic has become a priority for the business.
“For us, the health, safety and overall wellbeing of our employees is of prime importance,” he said.
“Covid-19 has impacted us all in one way or the other but we want to make sure the impact on our employees is minimal.
“As such, we have decided that if any of our employees get stranded out of the country, or has to stay away from the office because of a Covid-related illness, we don't dock this from their annual sick leave.
"Having to deal with the stresses of Covid are bad enough; we don't want our employees to have to feel like they are being further penalised or worry about their jobs.”
A sick-day programme introduced in Canada to protect vulnerable workers resulted in the government reimbursing employers with payments of $200 (Dh580) a day for up to three days, to pass on to staff unable to work because of the coronavirus.
As of July 16, employers submitted claims under the the Ontario Covid-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit for 39,887 employees since the programme took effect, with an average of 1.8 days claimed per worker.
But in the US, 27 per cent of workers did not have access to sick pay, according to 2019 figures from the Bureau of Labour Statistics – about 32 million people.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
WITHIN%20SAND
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The%20specs
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Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
