Page 116 - DGHR PR REPORT - NOVEMBER 2024

11/12/24, 9:40 AM Flexible working hours and remote work policies cut morning peak travel time by 30% across Dubai - UAE - Emirates24|7
Coordination meeting
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner General for the Infrastructure, Urban Planning, and Well-Being Pillar held a coordination
meeting with His Excellency Abdulla Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department
(DGHR). The meeting reviewed the results of the study aimed at encouraging the private sector to adopt flexible working hours and
remote work policies. This initiative supports the Dubai leadership’s vision to become the world’s best city to live in by fostering well-
being, boosting community happiness, and reducing traffic density. This goal can be achieved by ensuring smooth traffic flow and
facilitating residents' and visitors’ safe and seamless access to their destinations.

Five core elements
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer highlighted that transport policies form a key component of Dubai’s integrated roads and transport

planning aligned with global best practices in advanced cities. He said: “RTA relies on a comprehensive and integrated approach to
address the mobility and transport demands stemming from Dubai’s urban and economic growth. This strategy rests on five core
elements: developing and expanding road networks and facilities; enhancing public transport routes, infrastructure, services, shared
mobility and first and last-mile solutions; implementing policies and procedures to reduce or redistribute traffic demand across roads
and transport modes; advancing traffic control systems and centres; and ensuring the integration of these elements at all levels.
“RTA develops and applies these five elements in a balanced manner, setting priorities and implementation phases based on traffic
demands and congestion levels on main traffic corridors.”

“Remote work and flexible working hours are among the traffic demand management policies aimed at achieving balance and
integration in the transport system by reducing or redistributing demand across time and place while promoting sustainable transport
options. These policies also include the expansion of truck movement restrictions, increasing dedicated lanes for buses and taxis, and
providing first and last-mile options to encourage residents and visitors to use public transport instead of private vehicles. Additionally,
they support public transport use for employees and encourage carpooling,” Al Tayer added.

His Excellency Abdulla Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources (DGHR) Department,
stated: “DGHR is committed to advancing the current remote work system and introducing tools, policies, and programmes that ensure
employee happiness and well-being. This aligns with Dubai’s vision of becoming the world’s best city for work and life, driven by

leadership that prioritises holistic human development.”

“The survey results offer insights into Dubai’s pioneering, innovative, and flexible model as a leading hub for talent and expertise,
reinforcing the emirate’s continuous efforts to provide a world-class work environment characterised by flexibility and efficiency. The
findings underline Dubai’s adaptability to challenges, reflecting the synergy of the public and private sectors in establishing this model
by adopting the latest innovative practices in flexible work systems, underscoring Dubai’s readiness for future transformations,” he
further said.

“Since its adoption within Dubai Government in 2020, the remote work system has become a core part of the corporate culture in most
government entities. Statistics reveal that 80% of these entities offer employees the option to work remotely two days a week.
Additionally, 87% of Dubai Government employees feel that flexible working hours align with their personal needs, while 89.4% agree
that these hours enhance their productivity. The survey also shows that 80.4% believe their productivity while working remotely
matches that in the office, with 90% reporting no issues with communication or connectivity with colleagues or managers.”

Al Falasi praised Dubai’s government entities that have implemented remote work and flexible working hours policies, noting that some
companies allow employees several days per year to choose remote work. Additionally, some government bodies provide flexibility in
starting work between 6:30 am and 8:30 am, allowing employees to distribute their commutes during morning and evening peak hours,
thus facilitating smoother arrivals and departures to and from the workplace.

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