Flexibility is set to define the future of the working culture, being the "number one priority" of many as the world continues to adapt to a post-Covid-19 environment alongside technologies that are reshaping operations, according to industry leaders.
Eighty-three per cent of employers and 71 per cent of employees agree that working from home was effective, data from PricewaterhouseCoopers's Return to work survey revealed. People would also want to work one or two days from home in the future, taking into consideration the evolution of workspaces in 2022 and beyond.
“Exponential technologies are disrupting at record speeds how we as humans need to interface with ever more intelligent machines – learning, adapting and fundamentally rethinking old paradigms become crucial to surviving and thriving in this brave new world," David Suarez, health industries partner and people and organisation leader at PwC Middle East, said at a panel discussion at the US pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
He was one of the panelists at a discussion forum on new insights on the future of work hosted by US furniture maker Herman Miller at the Dubai Expo 2020 last week. The event was held in collaboration with American University of Sharjah, the IIT Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology and the US pavilion.
Companies around the world are competing for talent by dangling flexible perks and incentives, which are now commonplace as they adapt to changing dynamics in the workplace after almost two years of living with the pandemic.
More employees insist on higher pay, flexible hours, enhanced benefits and better treatment. If employers do not meet these demands, people would leave their jobs or search for more rewarding work elsewhere – a phenomenon deemed as “The Great Resignation” by a number of experts, where employees are leaving their jobs at much higher rates than normal.
Several surveys show that most people want a mix of in-person and remote work, with some saying they would rather leave their jobs if not given that option, according to the Harvard Business Review. A study from financial services company Prudential showed about 42 per cent of remote workers will look for a company that offers a work-from-home option for the long term if their present employer does not.
Women – mothers, in particular – are among the hardest hit by the shift stemming from the pandemic, being displaced more than men. Women in the UAE believe requiring flexible working hours is viewed by employers as a sign of being less committed than other employees, according to a LinkedIn survey released this year.
Employees also look forward to a less rigid approach to traditional office hours. This, combined with better focus on staff well-being and corporate values, can help recruitment and talent retention, experts said.
The upskilling gap is also a challenge, if people are not able to learn new skills to immerse themselves in new technologies. This could become a larger issue if not tackled quickly, a Microsoft official said last month.
“Flexibility in workplace types, hours, locations, and compensation packages will be major decision factors for employees as the world adapts to a post-Covid work environment," Ammar Kalo, an associate professor and director of labs at American University of Sharjah.
The UAE is also taking the lead in promoting the flexible working environment, recruitment executives said. This was reinforced further when the federal government announced a four-and-a-half day work week from the New Year, moving weekends to Saturdays and Sundays.
Exponential technologies are disrupting at record speeds how we as humans need to interface with ever more intelligent machines – learning, adapting and fundamentally re-thinking old paradigms become crucial to surviving and thriving in this brave new world
David Suarez,
health industries partner and people and organisation leader at PwC Middle East
The move is expected to better position the Emirates as an attractive place for work-life balance among the global talent pool. Since the announcement, schools and several private-sector companies have announced their shift towards the new working week.
"The future of work is no longer in the future. It is with us and will continue to evolve as we continue to embed life and experiences as part of the work cycle and work as part of the life cycle," said Gloria Mamwa, managing director and regional head of property for Africa and the Middle East at Standard Chartered Bank.
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The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
Read more about the coronavirus
Napoleon
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Honeymoonish
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SPEC%20SHEET
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The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
