Companies are being forced to get creative to retain staff who are considering making a move, thanks to the “Great Resignation".
The term, coined by Anthony Klotz, a psychologist and professor at Texas A&M University, refers to the global trend of employees rethinking their career options since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many re-evaluating their careers due to the flexibility their new situations offered.
A survey by recruitment firm Robert Walters found that two thirds of professionals are looking to move jobs in the first half of the year.
It also said a significant number held on to their jobs in anticipation of a bonus and pay rise in 2022.
Staff have had a taste of better work-life balances and are reconsidering what they will accept in their careers
Vijay Gandhi,
Korn Ferry
“Any companies who did not adequately reward their staff at the beginning of this year have potentially put themselves at risk of losing some of their best assets,” said Jason Grundy, managing director of Robert Walters Middle East and Africa — the group behind the study.
“They consequently will find themselves in a bidding war for their own employees as the market continues to heat up.
“If pay increases are not on the agenda, then it is crucial that managers check in with their team to get an idea of career plans and how they as an employer can assist.”
Employment experts told The National that firms were having to think outside of the box to keep hold of staff tempted to change employers or take an extended break from the workplace.
A Dubai-based recruitment expert said companies were scrambling to retain staff as the market begins to recover from the pandemic, with firms actively recruiting again.
“We’ve seen a rise in the number of people getting pay rises in recent months,” said David Mackenzie, group managing director of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones.
“Companies are realising they’ve got to keep their talent.”
He warned it was not enough to give pay rises to employees considering moving elsewhere.
“It might keep them in the short term but they are likely to leave after six months,” he said.
“Money is not the reason staff ultimately stay at a company.
“It’s the atmosphere, environment and culture of the workplace that matters most when trying to keep people happy.”
Companies in the UAE have had to look at alternatives to ramping up salary packages, he said.
“They are thinking about how to keep good talent and incentivise them,” said Mr Mackenzie.
“Offering pay reviews and learning support are some of the ways they have been trying to retain staff.
“In some cases, they have even offered free parking spaces to try to persuade employees not to move on.”
Firms have also offered staff loyalty bonuses, with higher payments for each year they stay, he added.
“There are a lot of jobs out there right now and there are not enough candidates,” said Mr Mackenzie.
The issue is a global one, with reports from all over the world on how firms are struggling to both retain and attract staff during the Great Resignation.
The number of workers quitting their jobs in the US exceeded pre-pandemic levels for eight consecutive months, consumer data company Statista found.
A German insurance technology firm, Deutsche Familienversicherung, was offering €500 to anyone it interviewed, with the number doubling for those who were asked back for a second interview.
And anyone who completes six-month probation with the firm will receive a payment of €5,000.
UAE Salary Guide
One emerging trend is people in the UAE applying for jobs to force their employers to match any offer, said Vijay Gandhi, a director with HR and recruitment firm Korn Ferry.
“There has been a rise in the number of people going for interviews, being successful and then pulling out at the last minute when their current employer matches the salary offer,” Mr Gandhi said.
“We are seeing increasingly that job offers are being used as bargaining power with an employer.”
He said the jobs market was opening up after firms had tightened their belts during the pandemic, which, coupled with staff working from home, empowered employees to reconsider their positions.
“Staff have had a taste of better work-life balances and are reconsidering what they will accept in their careers,” said Mr Gandhi, who added that being forced to work longer hours “is no longer tolerated by the likes of Gen X and millennials".
About 56 per cent of employees in the UAE expect to change jobs in 2022, the results of a recent survey by recruitment firm Hays showed.
This was up from last year, when 48 per cent had the same aspiration, but down from 2019, before the pandemic hit, when 60 per cent planned to leave their companies.
The firm’s managing director in the Gulf said the Great Resignation would not hit this region as hard but employers could not rest on their laurels.
“Retaining top performers is and always has been a challenge for employers the world over,” said Sarah Dixon, managing director of Hays Gulf region.
“In the UAE, attraction and retention of staff used to be all about salaries and financial compensation.
“While salary is still very important, employees have become more intent on non-financial benefits and the overall company culture than previous years.”
Companies more relaxed about replacing staff because it was common for hundreds, even thousands, to apply for vacancies in the UAE is a risky strategy, she added.
“It is true that the UAE is a very candidate-heavy market relative to the rest of world, however staff turnover is always a worry to employers, regardless of how many jobs seekers there are in the local market,” Ms Dixon said.
“Staff turnover is costly both in time and money, with training and upskilling new employees, but it also has negative impacts on a company’s reputation and culture.
“It is not easy to replace reliable, capable members of staff and employee retention is a significant focus for employers in the region.”
HR consultant Claire Donnelly said firms would have to worry less about staff jumping ship if they made more effort to ensure they felt included.
“People get more engaged when they understand how they fit into a company and how their role affects the overall performance,” said Ms Donnelly.
“If everyone’s on board with the same goals and values it is a big help, people want to feel more than just a resource.”
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Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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Fast%20X
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
SPECS
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Race card
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m
Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
ICC Academy, November 22-28
UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal
ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Fringe@Four Line-up
October 1 - Phil Nichol (stand-up comedy)
October 29 - Mandy Knight (stand-up comedy)
November 5 - Sinatra Raw (Fringe theatre)
November 8 - Imah Dumagay & Sundeep Fernandes (stand-up comedy)
November 13 - Gordon Southern (stand-up comedy)
November 22 - In Loyal Company (Fringe theatre)
November 29 - Peter Searles (comedy / theatre)
December 5 - Sinatra’s Christmas Under The Stars (music / dinner show)
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Continental champions
Best Asian Player: Massaki Todokoro (Japan)
Best European Player: Adam Wardzinski (Poland)
Best North & Central American Player: DJ Jackson (United States)
Best African Player: Walter Dos Santos (Angola)
Best Oceanian Player: Lee Ting (Australia)
Best South American Player: Gabriel De Sousa (Brazil)
Best Asian Federation: Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Sour%20Grapes
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How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
New Zealand 57-0 South Africa
Tries: Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder (2), Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu'ungfasi, Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (7). Penalty: Beauden Barrett
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
Afro%20salons
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
