The demands of a 24-hour society, the strain felt by millions in a challenging economic climate, the struggle to cope with long commutes between the central city offices and out-of-town, affordable housing are taking their toll on workforces around the globe.
As the demands placed upon employees grow, many modern businesses devote time and effort to improving the environment their staff are working in. And according to the latest health research, it's worth every cent to the firms that put their employees' well-being high in their priorities.
A new study, published in the Journal of Health and Social Behaviour, shows that by providing a more flexible approach to work, companies are rewarded by having a more efficient and healthier staff.
In a long-term assessment of more than 600 employees by a team of researchers from the University of Minnesota, workers participating in flexible work initiatives were found to sleep better, have fewer family rows, better energy levels and less stress. "Our study shows that moving from viewing time at the office as a sign of productivity, to emphasising actual results can create a work environment that fosters healthy behaviour and well-being," explained Professor Phyllis Moen, sociologist and study co-author. "Creating broad access to time flexibility encourages employees to take better care of themselves."
The research underlines the benefits of the kinds of policies adopted by successful companies with branches here in the UAE, such as Microsoft and Bayt.com. "Traditional notions of 'work is done if I can see you' still predominate - but some firms are rethinking how to create policies and programmes that begin to address these needs," explains Dr Michael Burchell, director at the Great Place to Work Institute UAE.
Burchell's team have just announced the Top 10 places to work in the UAE. "While not every company on the list has flexible working arrangements, most firms that win such awards are employee-centric and commit to practices that address the real needs of employees - including flexible working arrangements," Burchell said.
"Flexible working arrangements and attention to the physical work environment is still a tremendous opportunity for firms in the UAE," Burchell adds, citing companies that are already focusing on the values of flexible working. "There's Microsoft's 'Work-Life Balance Charter' signed in each department, or the open space arrangement at Bayt.com."
But making your workplace the kind of environment that's conducive to productive, enjoyable work - one that could catch the eye of those judging such 'great workplace' surveys - requires a lot more than simply allowing staff to come and go as they please.
"It's really about fairness," explains Ronald Riggio, a professor of leadership and organisational psychology at the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College in the US. "If your job does not require that you be there at such-and-such a time, and if the employee has legitimate needs for a flexible schedule, then the company should allow flexibility if it doesn't affect performance and meeting goals."
In his work, looking at how companies can strike the balance between profits, efficiency and worker's welfare, Riggio has found that issues such as flexible working need to be handled tactfully. "Being straight with employees about such things goes a long way to building critical trust," he says. "This is particularly important in companies where some folks have flexibility, and others don't by virtue of the need for them to be on-site. If management explains the reasons, then there is less likely to be a sense of inequity and dissatisfaction."
Beyond flexible working hours, other characteristics that make a workplace truly great include making sure employees feel that they have a voice that's heard. "When Fortune magazine does their rankings, it's based one-third on actual 'employee-friendly' company practices, like concern for diversity, and two-thirds on employee satisfaction, which includes sense of camaraderie, job satisfaction and of course a sense of purpose," says Riggio.
That "sense of purpose" is about looking broadly at what makes employees feel engaged and satisfied with their jobs and companies. "This would include a sense that the company recognises their efforts, they feel respected and empowered to make decisions regarding their own work," says Riggio, who also believes that employees need to feel that the company they work for is one in which they are able to succeed. "There has to be a chance for promotion and recognition," he says. "It also involves good benefits, and flexible and supportive HR practices and policies."
But with the global economic situation in such a precarious state, it could be a temptation for firms to sacrifice such practices, which could be seen as being expensive luxuries or just molly-coddling staff, when the priorities may be for a firm to do all it can to simply remain in business.
The experts, however, say such short-term thinking can only make matters worse for bosses. "Organisations that are great workplaces tend to do better in terms of financial performance than their industry peers," says Burchell. The Great Place to Work Institute found that companies which continue to invest in their people during down times actually fare better over the long term and bounce back more quickly.
"It can be difficult to hold that point of view in a challenging economic climate," concludes Burchell. "But if the firm is going to survive long term in a healthy, sustainable way, they need to continue to invest in creating a high trust, high performing work environment."
artslife@thenational.ae
Scores in brief:
- New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
- William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
- Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
- Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 3
Gayle (23'), Perez (59', 63')
Chelsea 0
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) beat Hamza Bougamza (MAR)
Catchweight 67kg: Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) beat Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) beat Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg: Mosatafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) beat Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78KG: Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight: Sallah-Eddine Dekhissi (MAR) beat Abdel Enam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg: Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG) beat Rachid Hazoume (MAR)
Lightweight: Mohammed Yahya (UAE) beat Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg: Souhil Tahiri (ALG) beat Omar Hussein (PAL)
Middleweight: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20profile
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FORSPOKEN
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Suicide%20Squad%3A%20Kill%20the%20Justice%20League
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Final%20Fantasy%20XVI
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Street%20Fighter%206
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Diablo%20IV
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Baldur's%20Gate%203
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The%20Legend%20of%20Zelda%3A%20Tears%20of%20The%20Kingdom
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Nintendo%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Nintendo%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20Nintendo%20Switch%0D%3Cbr%3ERelease%20date%3A%20September%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Marvel's%20Spider-Man%202
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Insomniac%20Games%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20PlayStation%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20PS5%0D%3Cbr%3ERelease%20date%3A%20Fall%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Assassin's%20Creed%20Mirage
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Ubisoft%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Ubisoft%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20PC%2C%20PS5%2C%20XSX%2C%20Amazon%20Luna%0D%3Cbr%3ERelease%20date%3A%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Starfield
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Bethesda%20Game%20Studios%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Bethesda%20Softworks%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20PC%2C%20Xbox%0D%3Cbr%3ERelease%20date%3A%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
West Ham United 2 (Antonio 73', Ogbonna 90 5')
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 36', Moura 42', Kane 49')
The%20specs
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MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Kane (50')
Newcastle United 0
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.
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Results:
First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15
Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
Brief scores:
Newcastle United 1
Perez 23'
Wolverhampton Rovers 2
Jota 17', Doherty 90' 4
Red cards: Yedlin 57'
Man of the Match: Diogo Jota (Wolves)
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Ukraine%20exports
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Read more about the coronavirus
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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
