Shaking hands will entail salary cuts in Abu Dhabi government offices

Mohammed Alaa, Staff Reporter

The Human Resources Authority of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi issued Circular No. (16) of 2020, regarding disciplinary penalties for breaching precautionary measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, to all government departments in the emirate.

The circular also sets guidelines for work and attendance at government departments.

According to the circular, any employee who shakes hands with others at the workplace will be warned the first time, one day’s salary will be cut if he does it the second time, and three days’ salary the third time.

If any employee comes to the workplace with suspect virus infection or suffering from a symptom of COVID-19, five days' salary will be cut the first time, 10 days' salary the second time, and 15 days’ salary the third time.

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In case an employee comes to work despite knowing that he has tested positive for COVID-19, 15 days of his/her salary will be cut, the circular added.

Other violations and disciplinary penalties have been mentioned by the circular including 4 violations in which one will be warned the first time, a day's salary will be cut the second time, and a three-day salary the third time.

Among the violations is failing to abide by the precautionary measures in gatherings like not committing to social distancing, not wearing masks while entering the workplace or in public areas at the workplace and failure to conduct a COVID-19 test every month.

The warning will be oral the first time, in writing the second time, and a day’s salary cut for three violations. They are non-use of disposable or single-use paper cups, non-compliance with floor stickers regarding the physical distancing, and non-compliance with measuring temperature when entering the workplace.