Race is on for the UAE's 'Workplace of the Year'

A stress-free environment is always important for a productive workplace.

The UAE's massive push for happiness is rubbing off on the workplace as companies and organisations throughout the emirates are implementing various wellness programmes for employees as a matter of top priority.
In recognition of such initiatives, business intelligence brand Meed has announced this year's finalists for the annual Daman Corporate Health Awards, the only initiative recognising UAE-based organisations for their corporate health initiatives.
"This year's finalists have shown exceptional commitment to making employee wellness a priority, and they are commended for that. Here in the UAE, we are just beginning to see this movement gain traction and we hope that by highlighting the achievements of this year's best entries, they can influence and inspire other organisations to make wellness an integral part of their corporate culture," said Dr Michael Bitzer, chief executive officer of National Health Insurance Company - Daman, headline sponsor of the awards.
In competition for the Workplace of the Year award are four well-known organisations who consider corporate health and employee wellbeing as critical to their performance, productivity and profitability: Schneider Electric, Roche Diagnostics Middle East, Saudi German Hospital Dubai and Dubai Holding.
Schneider Electric understands the absolute importance of having energised and healthy employees who feel happy at the workplace and believe that effectiveness at work and wellbeing are linked.
"Our ambition and objective is to provide our employees with safe and attractive work environment where they will feel at their best, unleash their creativity and potential and make the most of their energy," said Shabbir Ali, director of the Dubai regional distribution centre at Schneider Electric.
For Roche Diagnostics Middle East, another finalist, its people are its biggest asset, committed to doing their very best work with integrity, courage, and passion.
"Only through highly-engaged teams, who are deeply connected to our purpose of 'doing now what patients need next', can we make an impact, think and act boldly and be a part of a global community," said Harald Wolf, general manager of Roche Diagnostics Middle East.
Also competing for the Workplace of the Year award, Saudi German Hospital Dubai (SGHD) believes that achieving work-life balance is an ongoing process and that employee satisfaction is among the management's top priorities. "We strive to maintain an optimal work-life balance among its employees and has been actively promoting the wellbeing of its workforce in the best possible way," said Dr Reem Osman, CEO of SGHD.
Meanwhile, Edris Al Rafi, chief executive officer of Dubai Holding, says the company understands that high productivity comes from a healthy body and mind and therefore a workplace that nurtures wellness is of key priority. A natural progression of this culture and vision is manifested in the physical structure of its new Dubai Holding headquarters built in line with International Well Building Standards.
"Our main objective in designing this first-of-its-kind building in the region was to provide our employees not just a space for wellness events, but an infrastructure that creates more movement and connected spaces for physical wellbeing, facilitate more interaction for social well-being as well as more relaxation spaces for emotional wellbeing," Al Rafi says.
Several other awards are being given across a diverse range of categories in this year's edition of the Daman Corporate Health Awards.
- business@khaleejtimes.com