Managing Your Workforce – Changes to the 2022 UAE Labour Law

With effect from 2 February 2022, a new UAE Labour Law will take effect in the UAE, warranting several workplace changes. It is the first new standalone employment legislation in over forty years. The new law will apply to all private-sector employers in the UAE (outside of the DIFC and ADGM) and represent a significant shift in the UAE’s employment law landscape. Creative Zone invites you to join this interactive webinar with Luke Tapp and Michael Chattle from Pinsent Masons law firm. The speakers will highlight and discuss the immediate and red-flag changes brought about by the new Labour Law that employers should be aware of and the impact those changes are likely to have on organisations’ employment policies, contracts and workforce relationships. In particular, they will be examining:

Employment contracts – what new requirements have been implemented regarding employment contracts and the different models of work being introduced
Statutory employment benefits – how employee entitlements have changed under the new law
Discrimination, equal pay and sexual harassment – new protections that employees are entitled to and the impact of these on employer’s practices, policies and culture
Employment terminations – how the new law will impact employer’s ability to dismiss its employees
Fines and penalties – what are the big risks to companies regarding non-compliance with the new law

Organizer

Lorenzo Jooris

CEO, Creative Zone

Lorenzo Jooris is the CEO of Creative Zone, Dubai’s leading business advisory firm. Jooris holds extensive and diverse experience in the Middle Eastern and South Asian business markets and retains an expert opinion on the regions’ SMEs and startup culture. He was the founder of One World Communications, a full-fledged multi-media powerhouse advising governments around the world in branding and communication strategies. He, later on, started LEADERS Middle East Magazine in the UAE and formulated ‘Leaders without Borders’ an initiative that promotes young social entrepreneurs’ development and Power Women of Arabia Debate. In 2018, he joined Arton Capital as the Vice President of global growth and strategy where he oversaw the international expansion of the company and was in charge of sales, marketing and events worldwide. Lorenzo is a firm believer in giving back to the community, and within Creative Zone he has spearheaded significant initiatives to help and support promising startups and entrepreneurs. He is also the author of “Recipes for a Better World” and serves as an advisor to the James Michel Foundation.

Speakers

Luke Tapp

Operations Partner, Pinsent Masons Middle East

Luke is head of the Pinsent Masons Middle East Employment Practice and advises clients based in the United Arab Emirates and Middle East region on all aspects of employment and labour law issues.

Luke is ranked as a leading employment lawyer by Legal 500 and Chambers respectively. Chambers 2020 describes Luke as having "an extensive knowledge of employment law in the UAE" and Legal 500 refer to Luke as ‘an exceptional lawyer – his in-depth knowledge of the UAE employment laws coupled with his practical, pragmatic approach to issues makes his advice second to none.‘ The Pinsent Masons Employment Practice is ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers as one of the leading employment practices in the UAE. Legal 500 recognizes Pinsent Masons as “a stand out employment practice” blending “impressive technical knowledge with pragmatism and commercialism”. The team were awarded Employment Team of the Year 2021 at the Chambers Middle East Awards.

Luke and the team regularly advise clients on non-contentious matters, such assisting in the transfer of employees, reviewing contracts of employment and handbooks, and advising on the placement of employees and consultants in Middle East and African jurisdictions. Luke also assists clients with restructures, senior executive terminations and exit strategies. Luke has managed a wide variety of free zone and onshore GCC labour litigation matters, covering all types of employment law claims. Luke also regularly presents to clients and HR professionals on a variety of employment law topics.

Michael Chattle

Solicitor, Pinsent Masons Middle East

Michael is a UK Qualified solicitor who specialises in employment law, working in the UAE and advising on employment issues across a number of jurisdictions in the Middle East. Michael advises clients on compliance with the Federal Labour Law as well as the regulation in the free zones including the DIFC law in the Dubai International Finance Centre and the ADGM law in the Abu Dhabi Global Market. Michael has experience advising on a wide number of employment-related issues including both contentious and non-contentious matters. In particular, Michael advises on employee relations, dismissals, employee litigation, contractual queries/disputes, breach of privacy/confidential information, restrictive covenants and also on large, multi-jurisdictional employment law projects across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Managing Your Workforce – Changes to the 2022 UAE Labour Law

Managing Your Workforce – Changes to the 2022 UAE Labour Law

Organizer

Lorenzo Jooris

Speakers

Luke Tapp

Michael Chattle

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