Dubai: It looks as though flexible working hours are here to stay. A new survey conducted among 1,000 employees and HR professionals in the UAE has found that seven in 10 employees in the UAE say they are given the opportunity to work remotely across the country today, of which 37 per cent work out of the office most of the week.
The study, conducted by YouGov for the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), was commissioned in March to uncover emerging trends in human capital management in the UAE.
The study found that 64 per cent of employees in the country rate flexible working hours, provided by employers based on personal circumstances, as good or very good.
The majority of employees surveyed (74 per cent) said they believe a remote and flexible work schedule increases productivity. The flexibility in working hours is not only favoured by most employees but is also accepted and even encouraged by HR professionals.
When asked how they see the future workplace in the UAE, the highest proportion of HR professional (54 per cent) say there will be additional flexibility in staff working hours.
The availability of smart tools in the workplace was also highlighted by employees as the second most important factor to increase work productivity. The survey showed that 85 per cent of HR professional claimed their organisations are open to adopting smart technologies in the workplace. Of those already adopting change for the future, 54 per cent are extremely supportive of embracing new technological advancements.
“It’s interesting to note the insights indicate a prominent trend towards an increasingly ‘remote workplace’ and, as businesses continue to embrace technological advancements, this will only appreciate the convenience of flexible working hours and open up a world of possibilities for a workforce hungry for the perfect work-life balance,” said Lara Al Barazi, YouGov’s research director.
Hiring technical staff has also shown to be increasingly competitive over the past 12 months among HR professionals. With two in five employees saying they look to change their job in the next six months, it is critical for businesses to listen to the needs of the next generation to win the fight for talent in the region.
Ebrahim Fikri, director of projects at FAHR, pointed out that the leadership of the UAE has long set a vision for driving smart initiatives within the government and public sectors. “Findings from this study further support this vision by illustrating how smart technology can improve productivity and overall economic competitiveness in the country,” he said.