As more companies worldwide require employees to return to the office amid a fall in the number of Covid-19 cases, the hybrid work model has become increasingly popular as it promotes a healthy work-life balance.
“The global pandemic has created a shift in the traditional way in which people work,” says Shiraz Sethi, regional head of employment at law company Dentons.
“Now, with Covid-19 cases subsiding, the prospect of returning full-time to office routines does not seem appealing or necessary.
“A hybrid workplace model refers to a flexible work environment that combines remote work with in-office working. It is necessary for business leaders to create a work environment that will keep employees happy and productive, while also preserving the culture and business needs.”
About nine in 10 UAE employees prefer a hybrid or fully remote working model in the future, according to a 2022 survey by California-based technology company Cisco.
Being flexible in how employees work is also key for companies to attract and retain talent in a post-pandemic environment, with 61 per cent of UAE professionals saying they would be less likely to look for a new job if given the opportunity to work either remotely or in the office for only one or two days a week, Cisco said.
Hybrid work arrangements also reduced attrition rates at global travel agent Trip.com by 35 per cent and improved self-reported work satisfaction scores, with no negative effect on performance ratings or promotions, according to a study by Nicholas Bloom and Ruobing Han of Stanford University, and James Liang of Peking University in Beijing.
We asked recruitment industry experts to share their advice on how employees can make their hybrid working week more fulfilling.
Optimise office days
Synchronised tasks should be saved for office days, says Mr Sethi. These are assignments that require collaboration, conversation, brainstorming or group creativity.
“Asynchronous tasks, which can be completed from start to finish without input from others, such as putting together a solo presentation or virtual mandatory training, should be done at home where there are larger blocks of uninterrupted time,” he says.
“Each worker will need to assign tasks to in-office or home days on the basis that works best for them.”
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Organise and plan ahead
It is critical to plan your days in advance, so you know exactly what you are doing when you are in or out of the office and there is no lag time, says Waleed Anwar, managing director of Dubai-based recruitment company Upfront HR.
Mr Sethi says planning your schedule ahead of time can make all the difference to achieving the right work-life balance, boosting productivity and connecting with your team.
Deciding which days you will be in the office, what tasks need to be prioritised and scheduling in-person meetings to catch-up will ensure your workload is manageable, he says.
Mr Anwar encourages the daily use of a cloud-based shared calendar that allows everyone to see what the rest of the team is doing at all times.
“This also always allows for collaborative work among team members,” he says.
Check in with your team
It is important to build rapport with your team to ensure that you can rely on them for support and collaboration, and to keep up with the latest developments, says Nicki Wilson, owner and managing director of Dubai-based consultancy Genie Recruitment.
Dentons’ Mr Shiraz says developing and maintaining relationships with colleagues is important to ensure that a business runs effectively.
“This can be as easy as popping by a colleague’s desk for a quick hello and update, coffee breaks, striking up conversations in the breakroom, joining mentor schemes or any groups set up by your company. This will also allow for building trust within the team,” he says.
Mr Sethi says you can also schedule in-person meetings, which will help you to network with new colleagues and allow you to check-in with your manager and team.
Additionally, arrange initiatives such as a cake day or group lunches to help foster team spirit and preserve business culture, he says.
Have a set routine
Having an “office routine” and “remote routine” has a direct impact on the success of your days, says Mr Anwar from Upfront HR.
Although the job you do is the same on a daily basis, there will always be a difference between both environments, he says.
“The most obvious one is the commute to the office. This will take up more time from your day, so you may want to plan your office days around the least busy days of the week, commute-wise — maybe not Monday morning, for example,” he says.
“Make it a routine that you come to the office on set days. Having a good routine helps you focus and get started in the right mindset.”
External communication
John Armstrong, founder and managing director of recruitment agency JCA Associates, says you should inform clients, customers or suppliers of your new working arrangement.
If they expect you to be in the office, they may think you are unavailable if you are not, he says.
“Simple things such as having a statement on your email signature saying you are working remotely will get the message across. You can divert your direct fixed-line number [if applicable] to your mobile,” Mr Armstrong says.
Synchronised tasks should be saved for office days. These are assignments that require collaboration, conversation, brainstorming or group creativity
Shiraz Sethi,
regional head of employment at Dentons
Promote inclusion
Ensure all internal face-to-face meetings include colleagues who are working remotely, Mr Armstrong says.
If a person’s presence is needed at a meeting, then they should be able to join either by video conference or by dialling in, he says.
Ms Wilson says systems such as Teams or Monday.com are quite useful in creating a collaborative space to communicate and track deadlines with the team.
“Ensuring you acquaint yourself [with] the latest tools is essential,” she says.
Be aware of company policies
Mr Sethi says having a home set-up that reflects the workplace will boost productivity and lessen the culture shock when one returns to the office.
Training and development programmes will also help you to re-engage and readapt to working from an office.
“Employees also need to ensure they are aware of the company's policies and procedures around returning to the office and ensure they comply with the rules and regulations,” he says.
“This can be as simple as making sure the employee wears the correct and appropriate attire within the office and ensure they behave appropriately with colleagues.”
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About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
AT%20A%20GLANCE
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Yabi%20by%20Souqalmal%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMay%202022%2C%20launched%20June%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAmbareen%20Musa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20u%3C%2Fstrong%3Endisclosed%20but%20soon%20to%20be%20announced%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseed%C2%A0%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EShuaa%20Capital%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Company%20Profile
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AL%20BOOM
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The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
match info
Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
How to help
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
CREW
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERajesh%20A%20Krishnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETabu%2C%20Kareena%20Kapoor%20Khan%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
- 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
- 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
- 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
- 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16
Squads:
- UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
- Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
Race card
4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m
5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections:
4pm Zabardast
4.35pm Ibn Malik
5.10pm Space Blues
5.45pm Kimbear
6.20pm Barney Roy
6.55pm Matterhorn
7.30pm Defoe
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
How to help
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
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Low turnout
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.
Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
India team for Sri Lanka series
Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharath (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Sourabh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
T20 squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan
