Dubai residents share stories of 'mental torture' at workplace

Dubai residents have revealed their experiences with their abusive bosses, with many saying they felt "mentally tortured" by the verbal harassment.

One resident said her boss uses abusive language and insults the company's employees - including her - in front of the staff.

"The boss is very rude and mean. He wants us to sit in the office every day after office hours and never pays for overtime. He calls me 'watchdog' and other insulting names. I have a family to look after and I am a sole breadwinner for my kids. He threatens me every day, saying he would fire me. There are days that I cry out loud and I feel helpless," one employee who works for a trading company said.

A teacher at a public school in Dubai said her previous principal at a private school "verbally abused her constantly".

"It was in an American school and she harmed the mental health of nearly every employee. She was never satisfied with anyone. Her language was very insulting. She was used bad words and these words would slip out of her mouth. She made fun of people's outfits, accents and how they even walked. Now, I am very happy at my new job and I get a lot of appreciation e-mails," she said.

Another employee shared an experience that she didn't think would happen to her.

"After knowing my boss for a decade, I decided to grab the opportunity to work under her leadership. When I joined in, I was very happy to work with a leader who knew my potential and I thought I didn't have to strive hard to prove myself. But things were not the same since I told her not to bully me in public. That was the end.

"She created every possible situation where she could abuse me, blame me, point fingers on me. She used to scream my name in the corridor to blame me for anything. I was on anxiety/depression pills during my tenure there," she said.

UAE LAWS THAT PROTECT YOU AGAINST ABUSE

> Article 121 of the UAE Labour Law:
An employee may leave the service without notice if the employer - or the employer's legal representative - has committed an act of assault against him or her.

> Article 374 of the Federal Law No. 3 of 1987:
Punishment by detention for a period not exceeding six months or by a fine not exceeding Dh5,000 shall apply if slander or abuse is transmitted by telephone or face to face with the victim and in the presence of a third party.

> A civil case can be filed against an employer for causing psychological damages