In the UAE there are no specific laws pertaining to employee monitoring. However, it is in the interest of the company to ensure productivity and also safeguard the business assets. Let us find out the top question with regards to employee monitoring laws. Try now and get to know the nuances.
1) Is employee monitoring legal in the UAE?
Yes, as long as the business is legal, employee monitoring is allowed. However, the company does not have the permission to monitor employee used devices like phones, computers, keystrokes and so on without taking the consent of the employee.
- Is it legal to monitor the company’s computers?
Employers can monitor the employee computers that have been provided for work purposes. However, if personal data is involved, employee permission is required.
- Is it legal to monitor employee internet and social media activities?
The employer cannot monitor any personal data monitoring of the employees without consent of the employee.
- Is it legal to monitor screen contents and keystrokes?
Yes, the employers have full right to analyse and monitor the screen contents along with the keystrokes on company property. However, personal privacy needs to be maintained.
- Is it legal to monitor email content?
Yes, the email systems of the company cannot be used for accessing personal emails and employees have to be mindful of the same. However, try now to know how personal emails from the office computer can be monitored. Here you can find more info https://www.mondaq.com/privacy-protection/867466/employee-monitoring-in-the-uae
- Is it legal to monitor or record phone conversations?
Yes many UAE companies do exercise their right to monitor the phone conversation and it is basically from the risk management perspective.
- Is it legal to use video monitoring systems in the workplace?
Yes, the right CCTV may be used to monitor employees using camera views placed at elevators, reception areas, emergency exits and so on.
- Is it legal to monitor private messages and email content?
Usage of the personal emails on company computers can be monitored but the content cannot be monitored. Employees need to be informed about this and consent is required from them.
- Is it legal to monitor employees’ personal devices?
Yes, the above can be monitored and the employee is accountable to the usage of the device during working hours.
- Is it legal to monitor employees’ personal computers?
Yes, the employer can monitor the device so as to safeguard the company’s business information.
- Is it required to inform employees of the monitoring?
Yes, the employees need to be given prior intimation and need to be informed.
- Employee monitoring policy – mandatory or not?
Yes, the right transparency needs to be maintained by providing adequate information with regards to monitoring policies.
- Ready to use policies – Required or not
Adequate use of handbooks by way of pamphlets need to be distributed.
Here you can find more info about employee monitoring https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employee_monitoring_software
