Abu Dhabi Executive Council adopts flexible work hours during bad weather conditions

The Abu Dhabi Executive Council issued a circular to government entities and companies operating in Abu Dhabi requesting the adoption of controls and regulations, and the taking of necessary measures to guarantee flexible office working hours for employees in bad weather conditions in order to ensure their safety and avoid road accidents.

The circular included a number of guidelines that ask government entities to set the appropriate internal regulations, controls and instructions to guarantee the safety of employees and maintain the work flow. They come in response to occupational and human resources safety and health requirements aimed at supporting the implementation of procedures and regulations proposed in this regard.

The circular further requested coordination with concerned entities to identify bad weather conditions that may require entities to warn their employees and informing them of such conditions using internal communication channels. It also called for raising awareness on the importance of avoiding being on the road during bad weather conditions and bad visibility, and to give priority to external roads.

Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, Head of the Security, Justice, Health and Safety Committee at the Abu Dhabi Executive Council stated that "Guaranteeing the safety of employees is the top priority on the agenda of the Government of Abu Dhabi. The Executive Council's decision improves the performance system and confirms the importance of human capital as the engine of any progress. It was therefore necessary to make available all means possible to ensure the employees' safe arrival to and departure from work according to the best public safety requirements."

He added that "Coordination is ongoing with government entities within the Government of Abu Dhabi to implement a mechanism to immediately execute the circular, and improve communication channels with employees to inform them of such conditions".