Can I Deduct a Day's Wage for Unnotified Absences Under UAE Labor Law? Seeking Advice

I am planning to implement a one-day deduction for unapproved or unnotified absences from staff to streamline timings and maintain discipline in the workplace. Can I legally practice this according to labor law, where it is stated as 1/4 of the day's wage after warnings in the case of unnotified absences? Please advise.

Regards,

Implementing Discipline in Attendance: A Step-by-Step Approach

It is better to implement discipline in attendance step by step:
1. By counseling
2. By issuing a memo to be regular and punctual in attendance
3. By issuing warnings if still not obeying, etc.

Regards,
B. Saikumar

Salary Deductions and Labor Law

No labor law allows deductions from salary if an 8-hour duty has been completed by an employee. However, if you follow the procedure defined by Mr. B. Saikumar, then you will have a strong reason for the deduction.

Regards,
Rajvir Singh

Rather than deducting salary or initiating disciplinary action for late arrivals or unauthorized absences, please try to find out the reasons behind these issues. In most cases, we have observed that 'Conveyance' from the place of residence to the place of work is the main reason for late arrivals. You may help to overcome this and see whether this can reduce late arrivals and unauthorized absenteeism.

Deductions in salary may cause resentment among employees unless you follow the steps as suggested by Sri Sai Kumar.

Regards,
T.M. Rao

Punctuality and Responsibility in the Workplace

Why find out reasons for late coming when you have been conveyed that office timing is 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.? It is your duty and responsibility to be on time in the office. Let the reasons be no proper conveyance, bus late, woke up late in the morning, to drop children at school by 8:40 a.m., and a whole host of reasons you may have (or you can create your own reasons).

When you were selected for the job, were you not informed about the office timing? Did you not agree to that? Then why do you expect the employer to find out reasons for your inability to be on time? My point is very simple. If the office timing is such and such, then you are bound to be in the office on time, nothing more.

Addressing Latecomers: A Different Issue

Now, taking action against erring employees (latecomers) is a different issue. When we say latecomers, you must remember, there are other employees who also reported on time - how did they manage to come to the office on time? Give them an opportunity (whatever system you may adopt - sending circulars, counseling, etc.) to correct themselves. In spite of this, if they continue to be late, deduct their leave (perhaps half a day), and if they still persist, then go for disciplinary action.

Regards,
V. Balaji

Disciplinary Measures Under UAE Labour Law

As per UAE Labour Law, employees can be fined for disciplinary reasons, including absences, with "pay deduction" as a second step after giving warnings. Even though it is legally permissible to deduct pay, please consider contemporary HR best practices, which do not support this measure.

Regards,
Majeed