The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) recently held 4 virtual workshops at the Federal Government level, in conjunction with the decision to get Federal Government employees gradually return to their workplaces. The workshops used live streaming tech and aimed at training employees on the guideline regarding office work environment in light of emergency conditions, as circulated by the Authority, with the aim of supporting and enabling federal ministries and bodies to gradually and safely return to workplaces, taking into consideration all health precautions and social distancing between employees and customers.
In this regard, Aisha Al-Suwaidi, Executive Director of HR Policies Sector at the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, explained that more than 33 thousand employees in the Federal Government followed the virtual workshops via the Internet, and got acquainted with the most important health and safety procedures in the workplaces, contained in the guidelines on office work environment in light of emergency conditions.
She said that the Authority views the Guide as an important reference for institutions in general and for ministries and federal bodies in particular, especially with regard to following occupational health and safety instructions, to protect the well-being of employees and customers from any harm.
Aisha Al-Suwaidi noted that the guidelines came to prepare for the gradual return of Federal Government employees to their offices, when Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) recedes. She described the guidelines as a clear mechanism that helps the ministries and federal entities in providing the highest standards of occupational health and safety for its employees and customers.
She said: “The guidelines provide employees of ministries and federal entities with a package of clear health instructions, which would protect them and their family members from any risk.
“The employees of Federal Government, ministries and federal bodies in general are advised to make the most of the guidelines, by strictly implementing the instructions contained. The document is available on the Authority’s website (www.fahr.gov.ae) in both Arabic and English, and it can be downloaded at any time”.
Executive Director of HR Policies indicated that the Guide is based on global best practices in addressing health crises, and observing occupational health and safety requirements in the workplace, according to a group of the most prominent international organizations and institutions concerned with human resources, occupational health and safety, disaster and epidemics management.
“The Guide is a continuation of the great efforts made by the Authority since the beginning of the crisis, regarding the governance of remote work in the Federal Government, and to ensure business continuity and service provision,” she noted, adding that once it was decided to take the necessary preventive measures, to ward off danger from employees, the Authority circulated, in cooperation with the competent authorities, Cabinet decisions, circulars, remote work guidelines, etc.
The new Guide, according to Al Suwaidi, will help in providing the necessary instructions to ensure the health and safety of employees and customers in the workplace, as well as transfer the best public health practices, and create working environments that take into account the best and highest occupational health and safety standards.