"When shall we live if not now?”
This observation on the human condition from Seneca, a Roman philosopher and dramatist who lived from approximately 5 BC to 65 AD highlights the tension we all face as we try to find balance and happiness in our busy lives.
A recent work-life balance survey that appeared in the local media has highlighted the reality of expatriate life in the UAE.
Out of more than 1,300 professionals (nationality not indicated for the UAE respondents), 56 per cent of UAE respondents reported their work-life balance was “awful”, with 12-hour shifts accepted as the norm.
Even though this is a relatively small data pool, certain conclusions can be drawn. I know the general feeling among many who live and work here calls attention to the gap between the reality of work in the UAE and that imagined by those left back in the home countries.
In my current role, I meet many professionals in public- and private-sector companies and organisations, very few of whom I could describe as appearing to be happy or fulfilled.
Often the grey, pinched faces staring back at me betray dreadful stresses silently endured by many who land on these shores with lofty dreams of deep blue seas lapping sun-drenched beaches, sipping sunset mocktails while pondering the joys of the “easy life”.
Does the perfect work-life balance actually exist? What does it look like when we have it?
Reasonable work hours, time for leisure, exercise and precious family time, no all-nighters to meet early morning deadlines, no checking emails at 2am, and no reliance on multiple cups of coffee, perhaps. Or is it one of those human constructs, like nirvana, that remains just out of reach?
Opinions wildly differ.
As The Huffington Post’s Lisa Earle McLeod recently remarked: “we know exactly what perfect work-life balance is supposed to look like; we just don’t know anyone who actually does it.”
Her take is that the concept of work-life balance sets people up for failure because it suggests that your work is on one side of the equation and your life is on the other. They are like two opposing forces that wage a battle against each other, resulting in unfortunate win-lose outcomes.
Again, Seneca reminds us of the dangers of giving too little attention to all aspects of our lives when he says: “He who is everywhere, is nowhere.”
On the other hand, The Entrepreneur magazine sees balance as far more achievable and sustainable when it isn’t portrayed as a conflict of interest.
There are many hundreds of “inspiring” stories on the internet that showcase the perfect work-life balance, shaming us with catchphrases such as “If These People Can Do It, You Can, Too!”
From Stephen, a doctor at one of Boston’s busiest hospitals, who decided to remain in his day-job and also enrolled as a graduate student in a competitive MBA programme to establish his start-up business to a power couple, Brian and Beth, who between them run four businesses and find time to host weekly radio shows and do a spot of lecturing at the local university, these people exemplify the “can-do, will-do” attitude of those actively pursuing a work-life balance.
It seems to me that having the perfect work-life balance energises people, making them even more successful and capable. It also appears to take a lot of effort, energy and good planning to achieve the ideal balance.
Waking up in the middle of the night sometimes provides a moment of reflection about ourselves and life. How am I going? Are things working out?
We usually know the answers to those questions, and for me, it means enjoying my life every single day in all the important areas of my life – work, family, friends, self.
It also means having a sense of achievement in those important areas which feed self-esteem and self-worthiness.
All of this appears to support that adage that busy people are happy people.
And if that is true, the words of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in support of the new Happiness Ministry, highlight principles of sustainability and community cohesion that reinforce the importance of a work-life balance – “happiness and positivity in the UAE are a lifestyle, a government commitment and a spirit uniting the UAE community. The government system is evolving to realise the goals that every human seeks: happiness for him and his family.”
Everyone’s situation is different, so what do the experts tell us about how to achieve a work-life balance which works for us?
Firstly, some deep self-examination about our values and beliefs would help in setting out achievable congruent goals. When I make my job and career a priority because I value success and financial security, I’m not doing it to meet my company’s needs. I’m doing it because it fits with who I am and striving to be.
Secondly, be aware of the effect of that priority on the other important parts of your life – family, friends and self. And be forgiving of yourself when you sometimes mess up, when you are forced to work that late night instead of being at home reading a bedtime story to your child.
Finally, some firms in the UAE are rolling out bonus schemes to motivate employees in 2017.
As Dan Pink reports, people at work are motivated by a sense of autonomy, mastery of their skills and a sense of purpose – money may compensate for some late nights but it is fleeting and ultimately unrewarding.
Remain true to your values and remember these final words from Seneca: “As a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”
Dr Peter J Hatherley-Greene is director of learning at Emarise
Results
2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.
4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.
5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Results
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix - 3:45:47
2. David Dekker (NED) Jumbo-Visma - same time
3. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
4. Emils Liepins (LAT) Trek-Segafredo
5. Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO UAE Team Emirates
7. Anthony Roux (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
8. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:00:03
9. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep
10. Fausto Masnada (ITA) Deceuninck-QuickStep
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Fiorentina v Torino (8pm)
Hellas Verona v Roma (10.45pm)
Sunday
Parma v Napoli (2.30pm)
Genoa v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (8pm)
Juventus v Sampdoria (10.45pm)
Monday
AC Milan v Bologna (10.45om)
Playing September 30
Benevento v Inter Milan (8pm)
Udinese v Spezia (8pm)
Lazio v Atalanta (10.45pm)
RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')
Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')
Sunday's games
All times UAE:
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm
Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm
Everton v Watford, 8.30pm
Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Monday's results
- UAE beat Bahrain by 51 runs
- Qatar beat Maldives by 44 runs
- Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait by seven wickets
Zakat definitions
Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
NEW ARRIVALS
Benjamin Mendy (Monaco) - £51.75m (Dh247.94m)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) - £45.9m
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) - £45m
Ederson Moraes (Benfica) - £36m
Danilo (Real Madrid) - £27m
Douglas Luiz (Vasco de Gama) - £10.8m
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
Honeymoonish
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