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Workspaces in the UAE are getting trendy

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Workspaces in the UAE are getting trendy

A WORKPLACE TO RECKON WITH: You'd want to work at Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)

Cubicles are passe´, bean bags are cool - new offices are anything, but boring Cubicles are passe´, bean bags are cool - new offices are anything, but boring

Published: Tue 24 Oct 2017, 4:42 PM

Updated: Thu 26 Oct 2017, 12:05 PM

  • By
  • Disha Dadlani, Eva Prabhakar & Rachel Dawson

Workspaces as we knew once upon a time, don't exist anymore. You don't have to call your boss - Sir or Ma'am. First name or last name works. Meetings are taking place around the pool table. Goodbye boardrooms. Mum-dad can partake in nappy changing - nothing more beautiful than parents getting time to nurture their little one. The doors of the office are now open to your pets as well. Yes, you don't have to leave the kitten behind. Free zone aside, now there are co-working spaces. Don't stress if you don't have money to invest in an office - simply rent a cubicle or a conference room - and enjoy it as your own with WiFi and co ee. Don't have time to hit the gym? Check with your HR, they may enroll you for a fitness program. Corporate dressing too is gradually undergoing a change. We're becoming forgiving towards women, who are walking in the o ice in flat shoes. Thank God! Interestingly, Hopscotch, the first support platform in the MENA region, is set to launch an offering purely for female professionals looking for flexible working options. Says their co-founder Helen McGuire, "We quickly realised that sourcing flexible work for women was only half the battle. Ensuring women follow a path to senior management and building confidence is key to progress."
In short, if you've got an idea, the UAE has your back - from rules rolled out by the government to developments in the field of infrastructure, food apps deliver- ing balanced lunches at your work desk to yoga classes in conference rooms - the corporate world is getting more cosy, comfy, and compassionate.
Many offices in the UAE are beginning to introduce changes in their design to tick all employee wellness and satisfaction boxes. At Khaleej Times, we've made space for bean bags - trust us, we're ideating better. Cornflakes have made way to our pantry. The who's who of Dubai are regular speakers (#MeettheCEO) in our office now - they share their success stories and we get inspired to go that extra mile. Yes, we hear you - no workspace is perfect, but we seem to be getting there, right? Have a nice working week.

Teams that eat together, work together

Amidst all the e-mail-drafting, meeting-hopping, and boss-ranting, you tend to ignore your rumbling stomach. A few offices in the UAE ensure that their employees break away from the monotony of tasks once in a while, and indulge in team breakfasts and lunches.
Publinet; a UAE based fully integrated communication consultancy network, rewards exceptional employees on a quarterly basis and further celebrates the occasion with a team lunch. At Pepsi Co, employees are encouraged to switch to healthy breakfasts with a variety of oats (available in office) once every week. Staff across the departments at Itan Jewels is provided three in-house meals a day, daily. The staff at RBBi, a marketing agency in Dubai, enjoys the concept of doing your own breakfast - they start their day at the breakfast counter and choose from an extensive spread of slices of bread, cereals, fruits, jams, butter, etc.
Scooping out time to grab a bite in between meetings can be hard, but online office-specific delivery ventures such as Laptop Lunch and LUNCH ON make lunching quick and convenient. Find your company from the website's database register and get notified about the lunch options for the day. Reply to the SMS or e-mail, or order online before the cut-off time. Are your team members craving biryani? There's a group order option as well. 

An office cat to call your own

Who said a mouse and cat can't be friends? Your laptop mouse now has a new buddy; an office cat! Jannah Hotels and Resorts in Abu Dhabi recently adopted eight cats for the office and observed an increase in productivity levels. Pomegranate Language Institute in Dubai welcomed a street cat, named it Seedy, and gave it its own bean bag.
Employees at Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) can be spotted befriending the office parrot or challenging co-workers to a darts championship when not meeting deadlines. At Google Middle East, a 'break' means indulging in an intense video game or foosball challenge. Despite tempting recreational options, employees don't slack; lest they miss out on a therapist's massage - the reward. The employees at Facebook Middle East find themselves challenging gravity in the 'gravity room' and playing table tennis during breaks. When employees at Microsoft Dubai hear their stomach growl, they head to the canteen... on a cycle! The staff at Omnicom recently donned traditional attire and danced to the viral Malayalam song Jimmiki Kamal to celebrate Onam. They also have an in-house gym to drive away stress.

You'll want your desk at these cool co-working spaces in Dubai

 

Are you working at a happy place?

A 2013 YouGov survey found that 60 percent of UAE residents feel stressed. Further studies have revealed that anxiety and depression are two of the top causes of ill health in the UAE, with 4 percent of the population being clinically depressed and 15 percent suffering from mild depression.As per a 2015 study, only 47 percent of the UAE employees believed that their company took an interest in their wellness. in light of this, employers are working on providing psychological counselling, on-site activity and healthy eating facilities, and discounts at local wellness classes to focus on wholesome health. EMC2 employees can take compassionate leave distinct from their annual vacation.This is what the experts are saying: Holly Graham, HR business partner at Zurich says, "At our workplace, we want to influence positive change within the workplace for every employee and advocate a 'level playing field' to help all of our employees reach their full potential."Smiling employees led by an easy-going boss can go a long way in achieving targets.

UAE cares about new mums & dads 

Earlier this year, HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved three months paid maternity leave for government employees in Dubai. This can be combined with the annual leave for a total for 120 days, which is a huge extension on the previous 45 days.
Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah have also in the previous year enacted similar maternity laws, and Abu Dhabi has included three days paternity leave in its decision. New mums can leave two hours early from work for one year from the day of giving birth.
The private sector is currently entitled to 45 days, and many companies are changing their policies to allow for longer leaves. Emrill provides for a total of 360 days - 90 days paid, 90 days at half-pay, and 180 days unpaid. The male employees can take two weeks off. EMC2 and Microsoft employees also enjoy paternity leave.
With the UAE Gender Balance Council working towards greater women participation in the workplace, such laws are significant markers of increased employee morale.

The age of power flats

Initially a men's accessory - the high heel today, symbolises femininity. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. In the wake of the French Revolution, heels shrunk to the size of a piece of leather. Finally, it disappeared. According to weebly.com, they made a comeback in the 1800's - this time-worn solely by women. So, what's the latest footwear fuss anyway, you ask?
Recently, the 'high-heel campaigner', Nicola Thorp filed a petition with UK's parliament when she was sent home without pay for wearing flats. The government responded saying the laws regarding reasonable dress codes already exist. Additionally, the Philippines repealed a law by which female employees compulsorily had to wear stilettoes. The move was hailed by feminists, who saw this as step closer to an egalitarian corporate culture. 
Many celebs have supported this change. For instance, Victoria Beckham's 'pumps-to-flats' switch. "I just can't-do heels anymore. At least not when I'm working," she told People. Others like Gal Gadot, opted for a pair of gold sandals to the premiere of Wonder Woman. 

An off day on your birthday! 

Employers and economies around the world are distinguishing themselves with work perks that attract the best of the working population. 
In Denmark, employees can choose when to begin their workday. 
In Japan, there is mandatory nap time during working hours and anyone still at the desk beyond 8 pm is monitored by overtime prevention teams.
In the Netherlands, employees work for four days and enjoy a long weekend. 
In France, the 'right to disconnect' ensures that employees do not work after hours by banning work emails once the office is closed for the day. 
In the UAE, many companies follow a split shift broken by an afternoon siesta. The Apparel Group provides employees with free transport as well as days off for birthdays. The One provides flexi-hours, laughter yoga sessions, in-house fitness classes, and even drumming sessions.

And it went viral  

When Madalyn Parker took two days off to focus on her mental health, CEO Ben Congleton's response took over the Internet. In the aftermath, Congleton added, "It is incredibly hard to be honest about mental health in the workplace. It is so easy to tell your teammates you are 'not feeling well'. It's 2017. We are in a knowledge economy. Our jobs require us to execute at peak mental performance."
How's your workspace looking? We'd love to know.
letters@khaleejtimes.com 
 

Office delivery services make lunching convenient

Office delivery services make lunching convenient

You don't have to leave your pet at home.

You don't have to leave your pet at home.

The Apparel Group provides employees with free transport as well as days off for birthdays

The Apparel Group provides employees with free transport as well as days off for birthdays



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