If you’re planning to take up a government role in Sharjah, be prepared for an extended onboarding period. The emirate has revised its Human Resources Law, increasing the probation period for new employees from six to nine months.
The change gives departments more time to assess new recruits while ensuring employees have sufficient space to settle into their roles and demonstrate their capabilities. It’s a two-way process—built to strengthen the alignment between the employee’s potential and the department’s expectations.
Additionally, public entities have the flexibility to extend the probation by another three months from the employee’s start date, should they require more time to evaluate performance.
Sharjah’s Priority: Emirati Participation in the Public Sector
A central focus of the updated HR rules is to give UAE nationals and children of Emirati mothers better access to public sector roles. While candidates must still meet job-specific qualifications, preference will now be given to these applicants during the hiring process.
This step reflects a wider national push to boost local employment, especially within leadership and administrative roles. By increasing representation of Emiratis in government, Sharjah aims to ensure long-term institutional knowledge and community relevance remain at the core of public service.
Inclusive Hiring: Clear Guidelines for Employing People of Determination
One of the most impactful aspects of the HR update is the mandatory inclusion of people of determination in the hiring process. Under the new directives, government departments must implement formal recruitment procedures that uphold equitable treatment for all candidates.
This goes beyond policy—we are committed to building workspaces that give individuals with varying abilities equal access to career opportunities. With these measures, Sharjah is reinforcing its commitment to inclusive governance, ensuring every capable individual can contribute meaningfully.
New Internal Committees to Handle Workplace Matters Transparently
Sharjah’s HR law revision requires every government department to establish three core internal committees that will actively oversee essential workforce matters. These include:
- Disciplinary action cases
- Employee complaints and appeals
- Emergency and crisis management
Each committee must consist of at least three members to ensure objectivity and a balanced approach when addressing internal concerns. This move promotes fairness and accountability, and provides employees with more structured options to resolve issues through official channels.
Higher Oversight Through a Dedicated Human Resources Committee
To support long-term policy consistency, a Supreme Human Resources Committee has been introduced. This high-level body will examine ongoing HR issues, assess new proposals, and respond to directives from the Executive Council or the Ruler of Sharjah.
The committee’s primary role is to evaluate complex HR cases and ensure that Sharjah’s public sector remains aligned with evolving administrative and legal expectations. This system helps reduce ambiguity in recruitment, retention, and performance evaluations across departments.
A Practical Shift, Not Just a Procedural One
Rather than simply prolonging probation timelines, the reform builds in more structure and clarity—both for the organisation and the new recruit. Government departments now have a clearer framework to monitor progress, provide feedback, and make informed decisions.
For employees, especially fresh graduates or career-switchers, the extra time can reduce pressure during the adjustment phase and give them the tools to grow into their positions.
A More Balanced Public Sector, Built for the Future
Sharjah’s updated HR law sends a clear message: it values quality hiring, long-term retention, and fair treatment. The extended probation period, focus on Emirati inclusion, and formalised support for people of determination are all designed to future-proof the emirate’s public workforce.
These changes bring more structure to recruitment, more fairness to assessments, and more inclusivity into the conversation—making Sharjah a regional benchmark for progressive governance.
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