As a global powerhouse, the UAE thrives on its incredible mix of talent from every corner of the world. Especially, the vibrant diversity of Dubai and Abu Dhabi fuels innovation and brings a global edge to the businesses. However, this very strength can also create some challenges, like ensuring corporate fairness, and preventing workplace discrimination in Dubai.
The UAE is serious about building a level playing field, with strong laws against workspace unfairness. By getting to grips with the local employment scene legally, businesses can overcome workplace discrimination in Dubai. So, they can help create a more harmonious corporate work culture to empower their teams.
There are many practical real-world solutions that both organizations and employees can use. Accordingly, they can build a workplace culture that is truly inclusive for everyone. Ultimately, thanks to the fair practices, all parties can get more successful.
This guide dives deep into the complex world of workplace discrimination in Dubai. It uncovers the reasons behind the workspace bias, and its different faces in the UAE. Moreover, it showcases the real harm this workspace favoritism causes to the people and companies.
Understanding the workplace discrimination in Dubai
The workplace discrimination means treating employees or job seekers unfairly, because of who they are, not what they can do. Whether, it is obvious or subtle, it is against the corporate law of the UAE. Its crown jewel Dubai actively follows these people inclusive business regulations.
Good news is that the UAE and Dubai have strong laws to protect you from all forms of workplace discriminations. The UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) clearly bans workplace discrimination on all things. For example, race, color, gender, religion, nationality, disability, age, etc. Article 4 of this law says everyone has equal opportunities in getting a job, receiving pay, training, promotions, and termination.
Likewise, Federal Decree-Law No. 2 of 2015 goes further by making discriminatory actions and hateful expressions a crime. It shows how serious the UAE is about building a society that’s tolerant and where everyone feels inclusion. For both business owners and workers, understanding these laws is super important for effectively navigating the workplace in Dubai.
Types of workspace discrimination in the UAE
These are two kinds of workplace discrimination in Dubai, and across the UAE.
- Direct workplace discrimination: The direct workplace discrimination happens when someone is treated worse because of a protected characteristic. Imagine turning down the most qualified applicants, just because of their nationality. Thus, direct workplace discrimination is clear cut and fully obvious like a day.
- Indirect workplace discrimination: The indirect workplace discrimination occurs when things seem fair on the surface, but actually put certain groups at a disadvantage. Just think of a corporate uniform and attire rule that bans religious head coverings at the workspace. It may seem neutral, but indirect workplace discrimination unfairly impacts certain people.
- Workspace harassment: The workplace harassment constitutes another major form of the workspace discrimination. It encompasses any unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or humiliating work environment. From nasty jokes and insults to displaying offensive images, it can involve any behavior that insults someone at workplace.
- Worker victimization: The worker victimization is when an employee faces negative consequences for speaking up about workspace discrimination or harassment. This can happen while voicing discomfort over personal victimization, or for helping someone who is in the line of fire. It includes ignoring for promotion, getting unfair negative feedback, or even losing the job simply for trying to address injustice.
