A growing number of Dubai professionals are escaping the heat and decamping to cooler climes this summer.
After several years of pandemic restrictions, travel is back on the agenda, and people are taking advantage to visit family abroad, reconnect with friends and enjoy a change of scenery.
However, these people are not on holiday. Advances in technology and the growing acceptance of remote working mean that it is now possible to do your job from virtually anywhere – and for two months, those who can are exercising this freedom.
People going away for the summer, the pandemic notwithstanding, is nothing new. Federal government employees typically travel during July and August when school is out and the temperature soars.
This year, however, a new trend has emerged as people combine their travel time with work.
This trend is not limited to government workers; employers in sectors such as professional services and executive recruitment are also giving their staff the option to work from anywhere for two months.
What is more, they are promoting this “benefit” as part of their employee package.
They are right to do so. Today’s job seekers value flexibility, and allowing staff to work from wherever they choose for the summer (and beyond) gives employers an edge, improving their ability to attract and retain top talent.
Expat workers, arguably, appreciate this perk most of all. Covid highlighted how far away they are from their loved ones, and they relish this new opportunity to visit their home country and spend extended time with their friends and family.
Work-life balance gains momentum
That is not to say financial compensation no longer matters.
Salary is still the number one priority for job seekers in the region, according to Tiger Recruitment’s latest salary and benefits review.
However, benefits are now the second most decisive factor when they are considering a new role, up from fourth place the previous year.
Work-life balance has taken on new significance – with Boston Consulting Group research finding that it is one of the biggest deal-breakers for the UAE's job candidates.
Many people reassessed their priorities during the pandemic – and a job that allows for family and personal time is high on their wish list.
The good news is that work in the region is more flexible than ever, with the UAE government recently introducing a four-day week for some employees.
At the same time, work-from-home policies increasingly feature in employers’ benefits packages, while co-working spaces continue to spring up to meet the growing demand for hybrid working.
Traditional ways of working persist
Despite progress, not all employers offer flexible working, and not all employees want or expect it.
However, in Tiger Recruitment’s experience, businesses that support hybrid working are significantly more attractive to a larger pool of candidates.
For the right job, some candidates are even willing to be flexible on salary for the ability to work from home.
Research consistently shows that hybrid workers are happier, more engaged and less likely to quit.
So, why might some employers be reticent about allowing staff to share their time between work and home? Their main concern is productivity and the fear that people are less effective when not in the office.
Evidence suggests the opposite is true, with a study by Stanford University Professor Nicholas Bloom finding that well-managed hybrid work, say for two to three days a week, tends to increase productivity slightly – by 1 percentage points.
Productivity gains come from being able to focus and concentrate and not having to commute.
Still, old habits die hard and, understandably, some businesses may be slow or not want to surrender the fully office-based model that has served them well over the years.
What is the answer? From a talent perspective, offering hybrid working is the best way to attract the most qualified candidates, earn their loyalty and compete with the large multinationals who often support hybrid as standard.
The key is ensuring hybrid delivers for the business – not just for employees.
This September, employers will not be short on hybrid inspiration, ideas, and lessons learnt! Feedback from the latest cohort of summer’s anywhere workers should help pave the way for more flexible working all year round.
Zahra Clark is head of the Middle East and North Africa region at Tiger Recruitment
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Scoreline
Liverpool 3
Mane (7'), Salah (69'), Firmino (90')
Bournemouth 0
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
more from Janine di Giovanni
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WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
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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.
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
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The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
