Work from home or office? UAE firms think of new policies

Comeback policies are gaining urgency among HR teams in Dubai as employees may gradually return to offices after Eid.
HR managers are busy working on plans that put in place adequate measures to protect employees from contracting Covid-19 once they return to work.
This comes after Dubai recently issued a new list of guidelines for offices to have in place after the holy month of Ramadan. In a circular, Dubai Economy said that all the previously announced protocols that were announced as part of the stage 1 economic activities will be maintained.
Aws Ismail, general manager of Marc Ellis, UAE, said: "Employees would be expected to adhere to company guidelines once things open up. Many people who have not witnessed redundancies or pay cuts may pose resistance, stating why are they being called in if they can be perfectly productive while working from home. However, employees who are looking to cement their position as times are uncertain may not pose any questions."
Backend employees can continue work from home
Talking about the implementation of "return to work" protocols, HR managers think that people in backend jobs can continue to function from home.
HR head of an investment company in the UAE said: "We are working out flexible plans but it really depends on the nature of the job. People who are in customer facing roles or in engineering type of roles, whose jobs are hinged on providing services to clients, can be more in office on a rotation basis. Others in support services can work remotely."
Jaya Bhatia, HR advisor and founder of HRHubGlobal.com, said: "It's always better to clearly communicate the dos and don'ts to all employees returning to work. We know that it'll take time for a vaccine to arrive. So, when it comes to HR, we are responsible for our staff members and need to maintain safety at workplace."
Employees display varied feelings
Employees expressed mixed sentiments about returning to work from office.
Deepika, who works for a multinational company in Dubai, has been looking forward to returning to work as she feels more organised in an office set up. But she also has her reservations. "There is obviously lesser distraction, especially if you are a mother. But with the spike in Covid-19 cases, most of us are choosing to work from home."
Malaysian expat Noor Nazri Talib, a petroleum specialist, said that dividing staff into different teams could be a solution that his company is considering. "In early March itself we were divided in two teams. But now with the rise in covid-19 cases, our office may think of having similar groups with lesser number of people in each team to maintain the 30 per cent cap. None of the teams were supposed to meet each other," he added.
Filipino expat Patrick, who works in a logistics company in Dubai, said he had his inhibitions but would return to office if his employers asked to.
"The virus is not contained yet so the risk is always there. But I believe our employers do understand we all have families. So, I am sure they'll also be flexible apart from following safety measures. However, common places like elevator and corridors can always pose infection fears. But given the current economic climate, we are in no position to resist or challenge our employer's decision and will go, whenever I am called in."
What future workspaces will look like:
Offices will maintain all hygiene protocols and social distancing measures

Disinfection of office spaces before and after office shifts will be a regular thing

30% Ceiling of workforce likely to be continued

Backend employees may continue working from home

People who are in customer facing roles or in engineering type of roles may work from office on a rotation basis


nandini@khaleejtimes.com