The Dubai government’s new human resource laws are the clearest indication yet that the region is moving towards a more flexible business model, in line with the world’s leading companies.
That was the verdict from a range of HR, recruitment and workplace experts who spoke of the need to foster creativity, results and performance over "presenteeism" in offices.
The new laws, which were announced on Sunday, offer government employees more leave days, better promotion opportunities and the option of working outside the office.
Louise Karim, managing director of Mums@Work in Dubai, said the “working from afar” option is similar to the policies implemented by the likes of Google and other leading companies across the globe.
It is the possibility of working from outside the office that will help align Dubai with the most progressive companies in the world, according to Ms Karim, who stressed that it will help to boost productivity across the region.
“You do not need to be sat behind a desk all day to be able to do your job any more,” she said.
“By not having these options in place, companies are closing themselves off to a whole chunk of the possible workforce.”
She said the technology is easily accessible to make staff accessible to employers wherever they are.
“If you look at the millennials, they do not want to be stuck behind a desk all day from nine to five,” she said.
“It is going to create more innovation and companies are going to benefit as a result.”
Communication between an employer and employee is key to making a flexible working environment a success, said Ms Karim.
“If there isn’t communication then the employer will not know what the employee is doing, so it has to work both ways,” she said.
“It will take a lot of work to change some mindsets as different cultures take different approaches to the working environment but it should always be about delivering results not simply making sure staff are present.”
She pointed to the fact there are a number of studies that prove that staff are less productive when they are stuck behind a desk for eight hours.
“Why shouldn’t you be able to go to the likes of the gym during the working day and come back refreshed and be more productive?” she said.
Amena Baig, managing director of Ultimate HR Solutions in Dubai, also welcomed the government’s announcement.
“I feel that any extra costs to employers will be compensated by the increased productivity of the employees. It is a great initiative to provide better benefits to employees,” she said, calling for the move to also be adopted by the private sector.
“This law covers only government employees but it would also be beneficial to the private sector. This is where we will see a significant impact.”
The opportunity to work outside the office was not the only part of the announcement that was welcomed.
Ahmad Fathy, an employee at Dubai Media Incorporation, said extending the flight ticket allowance will come as a huge relief to employees – where it was previously limited to include only three children aged below 18, it will now include an unlimited number of children and those aged up to 21.
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Read more:
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"By the time your son or daughter is 18 and about to enter college, you are already up to your neck with expenses, so not having to worry about the airline ticket is a very nice gesture,” said the Egyptian expat.
He was curious as to why annual leave days were increased for some grades but not others. The revised law increases the amount of annual leave for grade 8 employees from 22 days to 25, with grade 7 workers getting a rise in leave to 18 days from the previous 15 days.
"I am a grade 10, does that mean I work less than those in grades 7 and 8 so they will be getting more annual leave?" he said.
Mr Fathy added that he was particularly impressed with the working remotely option that will be available in contracts.
"It is not about being too lazy to go to the office, it will actually allow you to get work done faster. In an emirate like Dubai, where congestion is always at its peak, being able to produce from wherever you are is a huge benefit."
A recent study from the International Working Group found that 60 per cent of employees in the UAE work away from the office at least one day a week and about 31 per cent spend half the week or more away from their headquarters.
More than eight in 10 (84 per cent) of UAE businesses who took part in the survey, which was released in June, said that flexible working hours helped them to retain talent, while 86 per cent said it had a positive effect on productivity.
The report did state, however, that many traditional businesses, including those that are smaller and family-owned, are resistant to the idea.
*Additional reporting by Haneen Dajani
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
Two stars
MATCH INFO
Austria 2
Hinteregger (53'), Schopf (69')
Germany 1
Ozil (11')
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20flat-six%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E525hp%20(GT3)%2C%20500hp%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E465Nm%20(GT3)%2C%20450Nm%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh944%2C000%20(GT3)%2C%20Dh581%2C700%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Aggro%20Dr1ft
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Harmony%20Korine%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Jordi%20Molla%2C%20Travis%20Scott%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
RESULT
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund