Dubai remote and hybrid working: UAE companies adopt new long-term work models


Patrick Ryan
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Companies across the UAE are adapting to hybrid working models for the long-term as staff begin to return to the office.

Employment experts told The National of a "big shift" taking place, after many employees spent more than a year working from home during the pandemic.

They said companies would have to adapt to a new normal, because staff would expect to be allowed to mix days at the workplace with remote work.

A recent survey of almost 1,100 employers and employees in the region found more than two thirds of employers were operating with a hybrid model.

A lot of companies are now allowing staff to do three days at home and work in the office for the other two days

Of the companies surveyed by Hays recruitment, 69 per cent said they offered remote work options, compared with only 43 per cent before the pandemic.

“We believe hybrid working models will continue in the long term as more and more organisations incorporate remote working options as part of their standard working patterns,” said Chris Greaves, managing director of the Gulf region for Hays.

“Of the 69 per cent of employers who now offer hybrid working models, none specified that they would remove this option and instead they are looking to realise the benefits it can provide, the only exception to this being service-related roles and industries where office working is essential to business.”

Rise of the split working week

The trend echoes the model used by major global employers.

At banking giant JP Morgan Chase, some employees can schedule work from home days – but on Mondays and Fridays they must be in the office, a Wall Street Journal report said. At global commerce firm Salesforce, which employees about 50,000 people, Thursdays are the most popular in-office day – prompting the company to rethink its layout and cater to demand for meeting rooms.

David Mackenzie, managing director of Mackenzie Jones. Courtesy: Mackenzie Jones
David Mackenzie, managing director of Mackenzie Jones. Courtesy: Mackenzie Jones

David Mackenzie, managing director of Dubai recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones, said local employers have seen a similar trend.

“We are seeing a big shift in people coming back to the office,” he said.

“A lot of companies are now allowing staff to do three days at home and work in the office for the other two days,” he said.

Mr Mackenzie said there was also appetite among businesses in the region for more face-to-face interaction after months of endless video conferences.

“Businesses won’t grow by staff being constantly at home as you can’t build relationships on Zoom,” he said.

“The informality of work has been lost due to Covid-19 as you don’t have that networking opportunity over a coffee, or chatting to a colleague in the corridor.

“That has to come back, as it’s a key part of how many businesses function.”

Mr Mackenzie said there could be a split between those who were attuned to working from home and others who found it difficult.

“Those who are not good with people will love working from home, and some are also so used to their work-life pattern right now that they might look for another job if work asked them to start coming in,” he said.

Mr Mackenzie said others could not wait to go back to the office because of sheer boredom.

“We’re moving talent around in the UAE at the moment because people have been stuck in their house for the past year and a half staring at a screen,” he said.

“It’s made them realise it’s not the company they want to work for. As soon as something good comes up they are leaving.”

Offices no longer simply 'containers' for staff

A senior figure from one of the region’s leading property companies said the widespread adoption of a hybrid working model was inevitable, with or without Covid-19.

“It is important to note that this trend is something that has not purely stemmed from the pandemic but has certainly been accelerated by it,” said Anthony Spary, head of landlord agency and retail for CBRE.

“From the perspective of both investors and occupiers, office space is now transitioning to become more of a multi-faceted service, rather than just a container for employees.

“The most appropriate model will differ from industry to industry, and will be more than just working from the office or working from home.”

Claire Donnelly co-runs human relations and business consultancy MHC. Antonie Robertson/The National
Claire Donnelly co-runs human relations and business consultancy MHC. Antonie Robertson/The National

Another of the region’s leading recruiters has already adopted a hybrid model, with employees working from the office three days a week in Dubai’s DIFC and from home the rest of the time.

“This hybrid work model is working well for us as a recruitment company, and globally as a company, our productivity is back to 2019 levels with 70 per cent of our consultants working remotely,” said Jon Ede, regional director in the Middle East for Michael Page.

“Our employees are finding the flexibility beneficial in terms of priority and time management.”

Some companies simply do not want staff to come back to the office, as they look to keep down costs.

“I think companies are starting to ask – do we even need an office any more,” said Claire Donnelly, who runs HR and business consultancy MHC.

“That’s especially the case for SMEs, who will be thinking, ‘If we can work virtually, why do we even need our staff to be in the UAE, when they can work remotely from other countries and save money on gratuity?

“The world is opening up.”

About Krews

Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: January 2019

Number of employees: 10

Sector: Technology/Social media 

Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support

 

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

Brief scores:

Day 1

Toss: South Africa, field first

Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48

South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

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The distance learning plan

Spring break will be from March 8 - 19

Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm

Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19

Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning

Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5

While you're here
The biog

Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."

Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell 

Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

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BOSH!'s pantry essentials

Nutritional yeast

This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.

Seeds

"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."

Umami flavours

"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".

Onions and garlic

"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."

Your grain of choice

Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."

Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Empires%20of%20the%20Steppes%3A%20A%20History%20of%20the%20Nomadic%20Tribes%20Who%20Shaped%20Civilization
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKenneth%20W%20Harl%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHanover%20Square%20Press%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E576%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Ultra processed foods

- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns 

- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;

- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces

- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,

- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.

SHAITTAN
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India cancels school-leaving examinations
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

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Which products are to be taxed?

To be taxed:

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category

Not taxed

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules

The Specs

Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
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'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

Squad

Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas) 

Draw

Quarter-finals

Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)

RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)

Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)

Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5