The state implemented the teleworking system in the context of precautionary measures to protect members of society from any possibilities that might expose them to become infected with the Coronavirus, and many companies and business owners adhered from the beginning to the directions of the government, in order to ensure their employees, and to enhance the goal of this exceptional procedure.
Legal Adviser Ghassan Al-Dayeh confirmed the existence of legal controls that govern the procedures of "remote work" for employees and institutions.
He said that, despite the extraordinary circumstances that the world and the state go through as part of it, the law dealt with due relations between the two parties to work even in these circumstances, and specified the obligations of each of them towards the other, because remote work does not in any way mean to be met with negligence or lack A commitment by employees.
He stated that there are clear frameworks that define the relationship, starting from the working distance from a distance, to how to secure and protect the privacy and secrets of the employee to which the employee belongs, and that the circumstances imposed his transfer with him as he resides, in contrast to the usual in some institutions and companies.
He explained that the remote work system adopted by the state as one of the precautionary measures and preventive measures to reduce the risk of the spread of the new Corona virus (Covid 19) came as a necessity dictated by the existing conditions, so it must be dealt with as a national and moral responsibility, and to ensure full commitment to confirm the presence on the job through Technical means without delay or procrastination, taking into account the public interest and regularity of work progress, as well as the interest of the employee himself.
Al-Dayeh added that, according to the Labor Law, the employee must be present in his workplace, unless other instructions related to the application of the work mechanism are issued remotely from the employer, and the employee’s approval in this case is an amendment to the work contract, which is permitted by law, and it is imposed on him accordingly .
He pointed out that any violations made by the employee while he was working remotely, puts him under accountability, in accordance with the laws of cyber crime and the work in force in the state, specifying some controls and standards that govern the work remotely, to ensure that the service delivery time, quality and distinction are not affected. In addition to ensuring the functioning of the work system for those who are covered remotely and their job discipline, in a manner consistent with the applicable laws and regulations, such as defining the responsibilities that employees must take into account.
These controls include securing the electronic devices used, not sharing their confidential data and information such as the password with anyone, maintaining the confidentiality and protection of the information, in addition to using secure networks, and adhering to the security requirements set by the business, in addition to the employee’s responsibility to ensure information security, and to ensure Whoever meets the security requirements approved by the employer, and even protects them from damage and loss, or leave them unattended.
Al-Daya pointed out that the duties assigned to the workplace are to set internal policies for the work, to clarify the responsibilities and duties of the employee, activate the virtual private network for employees, and make them aware of the preventive measures that ensure the security of the electronic space by observing the standards of information security issued by the Dubai Center for Electronic Security, Providing antivirus software, ensuring compatibility of devices with the latest operating versions, and organizing the mechanism of accessing confidential information for authorized remote employees.