Kate Bush is no stranger to literary associations. She first warbled her way to international recognition in 1978 with Wuthering Heights, the debut single that saw her assuming the persona of a distraught Catherine Earnshaw, imploring Heathcliff to let her in.
Keen, it seems, to carry on these literary associations, the singer sought permission to include passages from James Joyce's convoluted modernist classic Ulysses, in one of her songs. This request was refused by the author's estate and Bush was forced to rewrite the lyrics of The Sensual World.
Now, some 20 years later, as she prepares to release her latest album Director's Cut, (a reworking of songs from The Sensual World and The Red Shoes) it transpires that perseverance has paid off and her original wish has been granted. Bush has, with the blessing of the Joyce estate, re-recorded the song, this time replacing her original lyrics with the words of Joyce's character, Molly Bloom, renaming it Flower of the Mountain in the process.
Director's Cut is due to be released on May 16 and includes a rejigged version of Deeper Understanding, now featuring Bush's son Albert as a computer programmer.
She may well be renowned for her reclusive tendencies, but it seems Bush has a sense of humour: a forthcoming video for this new track will feature Robbie Coltrane, Frances Barber and Noel Fielding (the comedian who recently parodied her Wuthering Heights single as part of a Comic Relief gag).
'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure'
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
