Delivering Employee Support Services in the Global Community

Transcription

1 Delivering Employee Support Services in the Global Community EAP Drivers and Influences Projected Utilisation The Arab culture plays an important role in establishing EAP services and their likelihood of use. EAPs have a stronger chance of increasing services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if they cater to the specific cultural needs of the Arab people and move away from western delivery systems. Individuals in the UAE prefer to access face-to-face counselling. The cost of a session ranges from to Dirham and the length of a session varies. Attitudes Toward Counselling There is a stigma associated with accessing mental health services and people tend to turn to their family members for guidance. Many people express their mental health problems in terms of physical symptoms in an effort to avoid this stigma. People in the UAE show a lack of awareness regarding mental health problems and they hold negative attitudes toward accessing mental health services. Attitudes Toward Alcohol and Substance Abuse In order to drink or possess alcohol, one must possess a Ministry of Interior liquor permit. If one is caught drinking without a permit it could result in an arrest, fines, and/or imprisonment. The bars at most major hotels serve alcohol to guests only. Those who are not guests are required to carry a personal liquor permit. Permits Fast Facts Population: 5,148,664 Capital City: Political Structure: Federation With Specified Powers Reserved for the UAE Federal Government and Other Powers Reserved for Member Emirates Currency: Dirham Time Zone: GST are issued only to non-muslim residents. Public drunkenness and driving under the influence are considered to be serious crimes. Penalties may include long jail sentences and fines. Muslims may receive beatings. Possession of a trace amount of an illegal drug leads to imprisonment for foreign citizens and a death sentence applies to convicted drug traffickers. Some over-thecounter drugs and prescription drugs that are taken under a doctor s care in another country are classified as narcotics in the UAE and are illegal to possess. A doctor s prescription should be carried along with any medication that is brought into the country. In regards to alcohol and substance abuse, many Arab governments ignore the need for treatment in order to avoid embarrassment. The UAE, however, is becoming more receptive to addressing problems, but only among expatriates at this time. 1-5

2 Attitudes Toward Wellness Services Wellness services are not common in the UAE. Professional Clinical Qualifications There is not an organisation that oversees EAP accreditation in the UAE. The Dubai Health Authority is responsible for licensing all mental health professionals. All social workers, counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists must be licensed in order to practice. Modern medical care is available throughout the country. The UAE is working to become a hub for health tourism. The emirates currently partner with Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins Medical School, each based in the United States. Johns Hopkins currently operates health care systems in, including Tawam Hospital. Normal wait times apply to access medical care. Behavioural/Mental Health Coverage Mental health coverage is available in the UAE. Child Care and Parenting Female family members traditionally care for children. National Delivery Systems Health Care The UAE has a comprehensive, government-funded health care system. Health care is controlled by the federal and emirate governments; therefore, specific policies may vary based on the emirate. The primary regulatory authorities are: The Ministry of Health, the Health Authority- (HAAD), the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and the Emirates Health Authority (EHA). Key Professional Associations Emirates Psychological Association Dar Ghaya Building, 1st Floor, Office #103 Mowaileeh Area Sharjah Telephone: +971 (0) Fax: +971 (0) info@psyemirates.com Website: Citizens and expatriates are expected to have insurance coverage. Expats may purchase private insurance and apply to receive a health card from the Ministry of Health. The health card provides access to the state system in case of an emergency. Individuals who have private insurance are expected to access private facilities for elective treatment. An individual must be licensed by the Dubai Health Authority in order to open a day care centre in the UAE. There is currently a shortage of day care centres and nurseries across the UAE. As a result, the Arab Women Leadership Forum implemented a plan in 2010 to encourage private companies and corporations to become involved in the improvement of child care. The first day care centre was opened at Dubai Customs in 2008; over 160 federal and local departments have since joined the initiative. The hope is that public sector employers will soon follow the government s lead. Expats must send their children to private school. Most private schools offer after school care. Such care is not available off campus. Nurseries accept children younger than five years of age. The UAE Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) oversees nurseries. Kindergartens accept children from four to six years of age. Education authorities in the respective emirate are responsible for kindergarten operations. A variety of additional child care providers exist in the UAE, including live-in and live-out nannies, maternity nurses, au pairs, and governesses. Elder Care Regional governments have begun to place more focus on the topic of ageing and have developed various socioeconomic measures to address the matter. Approximately 2-5

3 11,000 elderly individuals receive social assistance in the UAE and take advantage of existing shelters and day clubs. Elderly individuals who need special care that cannot be obtained at home may find assistance in geriatric hospitals or rehabilitation centres. For instance, the Obaidallah Geriatric Hospital in Ras Al-Khaimah offers an intensive care unit and recreation facilities. Student volunteer programmes are offered by the Health Authority of. The students educate the community about health-related issues that pertain to the ageing population and provide services such as wheelchair assistance and administrative assistance. Legal Assistance Some EAPs in offer legal assistance. The government provides some legal assistance to eligible individuals. Legal aid is available to defendants in certain criminal cases. In this instance, the court appoints a private lawyer and the government pays for the lawyer. The lawyer does have the right, however, to refuse the case. Legal assistance is also available for individuals who have had certain rights violated (e.g., an employee with a labour complaint). Wellness Services s Health Authority offers many wellness programmes in the community, including those that address fitness and smoking cessation. Cultural Characteristics Language Arabic is the official language. The following languages are also spoken: Persian, English, Hindi, and Urdu. Ethnic Makeup The UAE s population is primarily comprised of individuals who are Arab, Asian, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, or Iranian. Demographic Trends According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the UAE s population has experienced an 11.47% increase in the last four years. The country has an ageing population and it is estimated that the number of dependent adults will closely match the number of dependent children by The country also has one of the lowest birth rates in the Persian Gulf. Work Ethic With the global recession causing cutbacks and unemployment reaching 14%, the government is relying on a 10 year old program to create jobs for UAE citizens. The programe called Emiratisation is designed to encourage employment for UAE citizens over multinational expatriate workers resulting in self reliance and preparing UAE citizens for a future leadership roles. For multinationals this shifts the emphasis from bringing in workers to hiring local talent. Lifestyle/Religion/Family The UAE is a multicultural society with a diverse culture. The influence of Islamic and Arab culture is apparent in the country s architecture, music, attire, cuisine, and lifestyle. Islam is the official religion of the UAE. Five times each day, Muslims visit area mosques to pray. The government tolerates other religions and rarely interferes in the activities of non-muslims; however, it is illegal to spread any non-islamic religious ideas through any form of media. Over 75% of the UAE s population is Muslim. The remainder of the population is primarily Christian, Hindu, or Buddhist. Most foreigners practice non-islamic religions. The Islamic dress code is not required. Most Emirati men wear a kandura, which is an ankle-length white shirt made of wool or cotton. Most Emirati women wear an abaya, which is a black over-garment that covers most parts of the body. Western-style clothing is predominantly worn given the large expatriate population, and it is becoming more popular among Emiratis. 3-5

4 The UAE is a male-dominant society. Men act as head of the household. They command respect in the home, as well as in all aspects of society. The father in a nuclear family is subordinate to his own father, who is viewed as the head of the clan. Clan leaders are seen as the spiritual father of an entire group and represent their families in society. Communication Styles When greeting one another, men exchange a light, and perhaps lengthy, handshake, which may be accompanied by a kiss on the nose or both cheeks. The placement of one s right hand on his chest after shaking hands shows respect to the person he is greeting. Female friends and family members who are greeting one another generally exchange three kisses on the left cheek. Men and women rarely greet one another in public. If a greeting does occur, it must be initiated by the woman who may extend her hand to be shaken. Emiratis generally have an indirect style of communication and they prefer to avoid confrontation. It is important to give, pass, and receive objects with one s right hand, as the left hand is believed to be unclean. Business and Economic Characteristics Economy The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a generous annual trade surplus. Natural gas and petroleum exports are an important part of the country s economy. The rapid expansion of the construction industry, as well as the country s manufacturing and services sectors, have helped the UAE expand its economy. The UAE s tourism industry is growing. Burj Khalifa is the world s tallest building and the Palm islands are the largest artificial islands in the world. Dubailand is currently under construction and Dubai Sports City may be a part of future Olympic bids. Workers Rights Legislation Employers in the UAE establish work contracts for their employees. Employers must pay an employee on a fixedterm contract up to three months salary if he or she is fired without proper reason, unless the contract states otherwise. Employees who have unlimited contracts must receive compensation equal to the salary payable for the notice period. Employees who fail to complete a contract owe their employer a maximum of one-and-ahalf times their salary as stated in the contract. An employer may not reduce a workers pay as stated in his or her contract. An employer that violates this law will be prosecuted. Employers must keep a wage register, which lists each employee s name by his or her hire date, as well as the employee s pay, benefits, work schedule, and termination date (if applicable). Employers must also keep a register of work-related injuries and diseases. An employer must establish and post basic work rules, including the hours of operation and rest periods, official holidays, and safety guidelines that must be followed. Disciplinary rules must also be posted in the workplace. The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs proposes the minimum wage and cost-of-living index, which must be approved by the Council of Ministers. Individuals who receive a yearly or monthly salary must be paid at least once per month; remaining members of the workforce must be paid once every two weeks. Status and Influence of Work Councils and/or Unions In 2004, the government promised to allow trade unions to form; however, it has not allowed this to happen. Communication Internet capability is fully functional throughout the UAE, with broadband capabilities. The UAE has an excellent telephony system, with available toll-free numbers, SMS texting, and universal international freephones. Confidentiality Issues The UAE does not have a comprehensive data protection or privacy law. 4-5

5 Support for International Assignees Embassies British Embassy in Khalid bin Al Waleed Street 22 P.O. Box 248 Telephone: +971 (0) Website: Additional Resources for US or UK Citizens American Women s Association of Dubai Website: The American Women s Association of Dubai is a nonprofit organisation that provides support to American women living in the. Consulate General of the United States Dubai, UAE Dubai World Trade Centre P.O. Box 9343 Dubai Telephone: +971 (0) Website: Embassy of the United States, UAE Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4 Telephone: +971 (0) Website: Schools American Community School of P.O. Box Telephone: +971 (0) Fax: +971 (0) Website: Dubai British School P.O. Box Springs 3 Emirates Hills Dubai Telephone: +971 (0) Website: Acceptance of counselling EAP awareness in business world EAP and work-life utilisation Population of English speakers Employee Assistance and Work-Life Snapshot Telephone availability Internet access LOW MODERATE HIGH 5-5 Copyright 2011 Workplace Options. All Rights Reserved.