Canadian University Dubai — Non-Discriminatory Employment Policy
Policy Statement
Canadian University Dubai is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a comprehensive non-discriminatory employment policy for all staff and faculty. The University is committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and respectful workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and evaluated solely on their merit, qualifications, and performance.
The University's non-discriminatory employment policy explicitly prohibits discrimination, harassment, or bullying in the workplace on the basis of gender, sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic.
Policy Coverage: Protected Characteristics
This non-discriminatory employment policy applies to all stages of the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, and termination. The policy protects staff and faculty from discrimination based on:
| Protected Characteristic | Policy Coverage |
|---|---|
| Gender & Sex | Governed by the dedicated Staff Gender Equality Policy. Ensures equal treatment in hiring, promotion, and pay. |
| Gender Identity | The policy's prohibition on discrimination based on gender inherently protects transgender individuals. |
| Race, Colour & Ethnicity | Recruitment and promotion are based on merit, not ethnic background. |
| Religion | The workplace respects all religious practices and beliefs. |
| Disability | The university provides reasonable accommodations for staff with disabilities. |
| Age | All employment decisions are based on qualifications and performance. |
Implementation in Recruitment and Promotion
CUD ensures its non-discriminatory employment policy is applied in practice through the following mechanisms:
- Gender-Equitable Recruitment: Job postings and selection criteria are gender-neutral. The University actively recruits and appoints women to leadership positions (e.g., women currently serve as Acting Deans and Directors).
- Merit-Based Promotion: There is no gender preference in academic or administrative promotions. Transparent procedures and accountability measures are in place to safeguard against bias.
- Equal Pay and Benefits: The University strictly adheres to the UAE Federal Labour Law mandate of equal pay for work of equal value. Salary scales are standardized and reviewed for equity, with HR audits instituted to rectify any inadvertent disparities.
Workplace Policies and Grievance Mechanisms
To enforce this non-discriminatory employment policy, CUD maintains clear grievance procedures:
- Zero Tolerance for Harassment: The University prohibits and does not tolerate workplace discrimination, harassment, or bullying against any member of the community.
- Reporting Channels: Employees can raise complaints to the Human Resources department or through designated channels. All complaints are investigated in confidence.
- Legal Compliance: This process is supported by UAE’s anti-discrimination laws, which criminalize gender discrimination and provide legal recourse.
- Work-Life Balance: The University provides parental leave (maternity and paternity leave) in accordance with UAE law, ensuring that family responsibilities do not disadvantage employees.
Public Commitment
CUD’s commitment to this policy is embedded in its core values of "People," "Inclusion," and "Respect." The University regularly participates in national initiatives like Emirati Women’s Day and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda on gender equality (SDG 5) and decent work (SDG 8).
Alignment with National and Global Goals
This non-discriminatory employment policy aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality), particularly UN Target 5.1 (end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere) and Target 5.5 (ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership). By maintaining a strict non-discrimination policy for staff and faculty, CUD fosters an equitable workplace that attracts and retains top talent.
For more information, contact the Human Resources Department at hr@cud.ac.ae.