Page 122 - SALIK PR REPORT DECEMBER 2024

The remote work system is no longer new as it has become a "core part" of the
corporate culture in most government entities, said the DGHR director-general Abdulla
Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi.

“Some (private) companies in Dubai allow employees several days per year to choose
remote work. Some government bodies also provide flexibility in starting work between
6.30am and 8.30am, allowing employees to distribute their commutes during morning
and evening peak hours, thus facilitating smoother arrivals and departures to and from
the workplace," he added.

Boon for many, but not for all

Meanwhile, a senior HR (human resources) official told Khaleej Times that working from
home may be a boon for many, but it does not work for all.

“There are some industries that require the full-time presence of staff at workplaces,
noted Joy S. Distor, senior HR executive at Bin Hamoodah Auto and president of FilHR
Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

The auto sales industry, in particular, could not afford to give its employees an option to
work from home, she said. "We need to meet certain targets, and we require face-to-
face interaction and on-site collaboration among team members."

“But I would suggest flexible work for those in the accounting, IT or HR departments.
We have already proven during the Covid pandemic that we can function and keep the
business running even from home,” Distor said. "We just need to secure our
connectivity and communications infrastructure to ensure the operations would run
smoothly."

On the other hand, Distor has also warned of the flip side of working from home. “When
companies realised that they can actually survive with flexible work option and enjoy the
same level of productivity, this might lead to downsizing and retrenchment among some
employees.”

Easing road congestion

Meanwhile, Dr Monica Menendez, associate dean of Engineering for Graduate Affairs at
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), cited the potential of implementing dynamic
pricing to take cars off Dubai roads.

She said parking and toll pricing – among other things – are two typically effective tools
to curb the use of cars and the ensuing congestion.

“Introducing variability in the price of these measures brings additional flexibility to the
system, potentially addressing the congestion issue when it is most needed (e.g., at
peak hours or during traffic-generating events). The primary objective is to discourage

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/dubai-more-residents-call-for-flexible-work-hours-as-salik-
parking-fees-go-up-next-year