The economic fallout of Covid-19 has already pushed tens of millions of people across the world into unemployment, the majority of them women.
The severity of the crisis, coupled with the fact that the burden of caring for the sick, the elderly and young children in our society falls disproportionately on women, suggests difficult times ahead for women's careers. The progress women have made in the labour force over the last 30 years could be reversed in a period of one year or less.
Complacency, however, would be premature. Once the pandemic has passed (which, with any luck, will be within a year or two), companies will be ramping up business activity to satisfy pent-up demand. The war for talent may enter its most bitterly fought phase to date. Companies should begin planning now in order to reintegrate talented professionals who were knocked out of the labour force by the crisis.
A 2012 article in Harvard Business Review titled 'The 40-Year-Old Intern' first popularised the concept of "returner programmes" – short-term stints designed to allow professionals to resume their careers after an extended break. Also commonly called "return-to-work programmes" or "returnships" (Goldman Sachs's trademarked term), these programmes vary in structure from organisation to organisation, but the promised benefits are the same.
Returners receive the opportunity to find their feet again and catch up with changes in their industry, and organisations get eager, experienced talent without the usual commitment, as companies are not required to hire returners upon completion of the programme.
In the years since, returner programmes have taken off, especially in the US, UK and India. Between 2014 and 2018, the number of employer programmes in the UK climbed from three to 64. Examples include JPMorgan’s global ReEntry programme, which has garnered more than 170 participants since launching in 2013, and EY’s Reconnect programme for professionals with managerial experience ranging from tech to tax advisory.
Effective implementation of these programmes entails a deeper understanding of what makes them succeed. For a recent thesis as part of Insead’s Executive Master in Change programme, one of us (Henriane) delved into General Electric’s Return to Career (R2C) initiative in Dubai, which was run in late 2016 as a first of its kind in the Middle East.
Considering the paradigm’s novelty in the region, the 10-week pilot programme was undeniably successful. Four of the eight participants were offered jobs at GE. Henriane interviewed five returners (all women, four of whom were hired at the end of the programme), three of the line managers who participated in R2C and the programme manager.
As the programme manager's charges took their first steps back into the corporate world, she described herself as a "godmother duck" and the returners as "swans"
Befitting Dubai’s status as an international business hub with a majority of its population from overseas, R2C returners hailed from a diverse array of countries, including India, Turkey and the US. All had been part of dual career couples, and most had gone to Dubai for their husband’s job, putting their own careers on hold. They viewed R2C as their way back to professional fulfilment – or, as one returner put it, “the answer to my prayers”.
In 2018, UK-based consultancies Timewise and Women Returners co-authored a set of guidelines and best practices for the design and implementation of returner programmes. Though R2C was planned and executed without the benefit of these guidelines, the programme fulfilled all but one of them.
R2C’s programme manager built a strong business case for the programme, emphasising access to an untapped pool of high-calibre talent. Recruiting-related messaging were keyed to the interests of returners, including job satisfaction, work identity and support with reintegration into the workplace.
GE opted for a 10-week programme (on the shorter side of returner programmes, which can last as long as six months), targeting professionals with 10 years’ experience who had reached at least the mid-managerial level before their career break. Additionally, returners were expected to have a specific technical background (eg: engineering, digital/software, supply chain or project management).
To find professionals who fit the above profile, R2C mainly used LinkedIn, Twitter and other online channels for expat women in Dubai. In all, 400 applications were submitted, which GE narrowed down to three or four candidates for each of the eight positions.
The initiative provided mentoring, frequent interactions with the programme manager and line manager, a 2.5-day cultural orientation to GE and weekly talks by women role models, among other features meant to support returners.
Remote working and flexible hours were available upon request, for returners and all other GE employees in the UAE.
R2C’s 50 per cent success rate was comparable to those of more established returner programmes in the US.
In addition, GE tracked the performance of the returners both during and (for those who were hired) after the programme.
Timewise and Women Returners’ final guideline, however, recommends spreading the word throughout an organisation to prepare the ground for a larger-scale rollout. This pointer came too late for R2C, which did not involve a post-programme communications plan.
R2C’s solid, stable framework and support services created a feeling of psychological safety within which returners could take risks, experiment and empower one another.
In interviews, the returners described the 10-week experience as “a lab”, “being part of a family” and “a safe space”. The programme manager adopted a protective stance toward her charges as they took their first steps back into the corporate world, describing herself as a “godmother duck” and the returners as “swans that became so beautiful”.
The interviewees described feeling what social psychologists call "stereotype threat" or "social identity threat". Self-consciousness gave rise to a lack of self-confidence; they feared that any tiny misstep would confirm the stereotype that returners were unsuited to the workplace.
Yet R2C gave them a safe space within which to navigate their negative feelings as a group. We found it telling that none of the returners had included R2C on their LinkedIn profile at the time of the interviews. Having done its work of facilitating adjustment, the “returner” identity could be discarded like a cocoon in favour of a general employee identity.
Research shows that role modelling – an important aspect of R2C’s support system – is associated with a reduction in stereotype threat. Implicit in the concept of returner programmes are two other factors that work to buffer against stereotype threat: mentoring and reframing the threat as a challenge to realise one’s true potential.
The returners were not the only ones changed by R2C. The recruiting manager responsible for selecting R2C participants said: “I will be honest, as a woman who has not been a mother, when I see big career gaps, I assume this career gap is by choice…I am not sure about the commitment.”
However, looking back over the R2C experience, the recruiting manager said, “What I realised is a lot of these women did not mean to leave for four years…Sometimes you cannot go back. Sometimes, you have relocated with your husband. A person has the right to take some time off.”
She added: “I think once a woman makes a decision to come back, she is going to be a bigger star than she was and these women were already stars before.”
Similarly, following earlier reluctance regarding the programme, one line manager said he “could have hired any of the four shortlisted applicants presented” after reviewing their CVs.
To be sure, R2C was only one pilot programme. However, it shows that even on a modest scale, returner programmes can effect transformation for both the organisation and the employee. Further, companies that commit to doing them in the correct manner may be able to tap otherwise squandered human capital inaccessible to their competitors. In short, returner programmes are serious contenders in a post-Covid-19 war for talent.
Zoe Kinias is an associate professor of organisational behaviour at Insead and the academic director of its gender initiative
Henriane Mourgue d’Algue is an executive coach and a graduate of Insead’s Executive Master in Change programme
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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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.
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The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
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Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes
The package
Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January
The info
Visit www.gokorea.co.uk
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
