Break makes employees lose focus

Dubai: The straight shift versus split shift debate has been a hot topic for companies and employees for the last decade.

Traditionally companies in Dubai operated under a split-shift system. However, over the last decade a new trend developed where companies moved towards a straight-shift system.

It began with major international and local firms, but in recent years other companies have begun to follow the trend.

The majority of the establishments in Dubai have now chosen a straight shift as they consider it to be more in line with the country's development, with many saying that it also increases productivity.

However, those still operating on a split shift say that it benefits business as it enables them to cover the whole day with no additional staff.

Laid back attitude

Nawfal Al Jourani, Head of Corporate Communications at Al Futtaim Group said his group changed from a split to a straight shift eight years ago as the requirements of the market changed.

"Gone are the days which are so laid back that we can afford a four hour break in the middle of the day, especially in a city like Dubai which plays an important role in the global economy," said Al Jourani.

Al Futtaim group found the straight shift to be both commercially viable and convenient for employees.

"Many of our employees live far away and with the current traffic situation our employees would have ended up spending the entire break on the road, resulting in a longer work day," said Al Jourani.

Obaid Al Shamsi, head of employee relations and communications at Dubai Islamic Bank, said a majority of the bank's business operates under a straight shift system apart from a small section in the trade and finance sector. "The straight shift system is a growing trend in the country, especially in Dubai. For us we found it more commercially viable to have this system. When an employee has a long break in the middle of the day he loses focus and become lazier, therefore straight shifts are more efficient and workers are more productive," he said.

Maed Anan, Manager of Noor Al Kawthar Group, said a straight shift is more convenient especially for construction workers as it would be more costly and time consuming to transport workers back to the accommodation just for couple of hours.

"Construction at night needs major lighting equipment which is very costly, therefore, a straight shift for some small and medium companies becomes a necessity," said Anan.

Nevertheless, some sectors are still holding back to the fast growing trend. A majority of the shops in Dubai's old souq and the wholesale market in Bur Dubai still operate on a split-shift system.

"There is hardly any work during the midday break therefore it is a waste of time to have employees around this time," said a shop owner.

People speak

Jovi, Philippines
Waitress, Abu Dhabi

"I work both - split and straight shifts. I don't mind working split shifts because I live near [my] workplace. However, I prefer straight shifts."

Omar Rawas, UK
Car sales person, Dubai

"My company changed to the straight shift system a year ago and since then I have become more comfortable and energetic about the job. When I was working under a split shift system a lot of energy was wasted in the traffic and the remaining of the break I spent sleeping. Some of my colleagues find it more convenient as it gave them time to pick up children before going back to work."

Ebaid Hussain, 34, India
Engineer, Fujairah

"I have always worked a continuous shift and would not change. I work 10 hours a day but I don't mind as long as it is during the daytime. After 6pm the rest of the day belongs to me and I can have my personal life."

Zayed Anan, Syria
Engineer, Ajman

"Working a split shift goes against the biological clock as physically the body is supposed to work during the daytime. Split shifts overburden you as you spend the whole day in working mode; so even when you take the midday break you are on alert and cannot relax."

Mohammad Abdul Kader, Syria
Marketing manager, Abu Dhabi

"I work a split shift but I think straight shifts are much better. When you have a split shift you don't have time to do anything. You come back home for the lunch break and you just want to relax. And by the time you finish at night you're too exhausted to do anything. You'll end up wasting your day."

Joseph Mendez, 29, Portugal
Abu Dhabi

"I think it is much better to work a split shift. It's a good routine; you know what time you start work and what time you finish. I work split shifts and I'm very comfortable with it. If you go on working from 9am to 5pm you'll be fed up eventually."

Hasan Hamed Al Jafry, 24, UAE
Engineer, Abu Dhabi

"I prefer the straight shift; it will give you the chance to make something out of your evening. If I work in split shift, I think my life will be full of routine. Straight shift is much better."