How Successful Middle East Businesses Manage Their Workforces
With more and more businesses setting up a base of operations in the UAE, it should come as no surprise that swathes of talented employees are also basing themselves in hotspots such as Dubai and Qatar.
In fact, recent surveys have announced the UAE’s workforce as the second most talented in the world when it comes to business skills such as communications, HR, leadership and strategy. This means that companies starting out in the Middle East have the pick of some of the globe’s best business talent at their hands straight away.
Acquiring these fantastic workers is one thing, but retaining them can be something altogether different. As some of the world’s top talent in the world’s fastest-growing business hub, these employees have many options to choose from, so you need to ensure that they’re treated well in order to keep their services.
Educate Yourself on Cultural Differences
As a group of states built on strong Muslim beliefs, there are numerous ways in which managing a workforce in the UAE is different from doing the same in the West. You’ll need to familiarise yourself with religious and public holidays in the state you’re based in, so as not to avoid disgruntling any employees.
It’s also worth looking into your dress code policy. Businesses with traditionally casual dress policies may find it easier to smarten up in more formal business attire. Culturally it can be deemed provocative for women to dress in anything too revealing, and t-shirts with offensive slogans can end up getting employees in trouble too. To avoid any problems with your staff on their commutes or lunch breaks, business wear is best. This also ensures that your employees’ fashion choices don’t reflect badly on your business with the local community.
Outsource to Local Firms to Manage Your Payroll Operations
Taxation and navigation of other payroll laws can be a headache for foreigners working in the UAE, so it’s often best to outsource any potentially tricky operations to a local business. Companies such as CBD Corporate Services can take care of everything from payroll and HR, to corporate structuring, so for those starting out in the UAE, it might make sense to lean on their expertise as natives to the area while you’re unsure.
Create the Work Environment That Employees Want
A recent Mercer study showed that UAE employees are most concerned about three main issues. The first is career advancement. Top Middle Eastern firms are able to show clear career pathways that their staff can aim toward and see how their future can progress.
The second is a healthy work/life balance. This can be achieved by offering more flexible working schemes, and even options to work from home if feasible enough. Paid time off is a particularly good way to show employees that you care about their well-being.
Thirdly, UAE employees mentioned that good leadership is a key quality to have in their businesses. If you can listen to your workforce and make them want to stay at your company, then you’ve already won half of the battle in this respect. If you can ensure that this inspires others further down the chain of command to adopt a similar approach, then you’ll find that operations can run a lot smoother than you might have first imagined.
*This is a collaborative post.
