UAE: Are companies still offering employees a hybrid option to work from home? – information

Allowing people to work anywhere they like can boost happiness, productivity and retention, experts say

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Hybrid and office work models are currently predominant in the UAE as companies encourage employees to work in offices as Covid-19 cases drop and pandemic-related restrictions ease, the recruitment and human resources consultancy said.

According to Mayank Patel, Adecco’s head of Middle East, more and more companies are looking to adopt a hybrid work model due to technological advancements and innovative ways of working that best suit their organization’s needs.

“Hybrid models are the most dominant because employees can enjoy a better work-life balance and get work done in the environment where they are most productive and deliver superior results,” he said.

Hays senior manager Aisha Amarsi said the hybrid work model was still in practice, however, office work was still the predominant model in the country.

According to Hay’s GCC Salary Guide 2022, 55% of employers in the UAE do not offer the option of working from home. However, 20% of employees have full flexibility to work from home or the office. Another 12% work from home 2-3 days a week, followed by 7% 1-2 days a month and 6% 1 day a week.

“Working from home has become part of the new normal during the pandemic. As employees enjoy greater flexibility and enhanced work-life balance, this has sparked a desire for a more permanent shift in work patterns. Now, it is possible to be flexible Working from home is a perk that many employees value,” she said.

Amarsi stressed that the option to work from home offers distinct advantages in attracting and retaining the best talent. “Multinationals are more likely to offer this option, while smaller local firms are more reluctant to offer widespread work from home.”

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Amarsi added that the types of roles that tend to be remote include creative and professional services.

Mayank Patel added that in the hybrid work module, employees have more flexibility to get work done where they are most efficient.

“Some support functions may have a mix of work modules, such as customer service, web designers, marketing and communications professionals, analytics specialists, data architects and developers, etc. This can lead to increased productivity, employee well-being and better retention,” Patel added.

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