By Akanimo Sampson
Businesses planning for new workplace models and a safe return to the office are underway in United Arab Emirate. But, it is currently being argued that strong company cultures will be the critical component that makes new ways of work sustainable in the long-term.
According to Cisco’s Workforce of the Future study, experiences ranging from frequent and effective communication through to greater recognition and professional development are all areas within the cultural matrix where employees believe matter most.
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Employees spend on average half of their waking hours working, amplifying the importance of not only optimising office and virtual workspaces, but building strong, inclusive organisational cultures too.
While many remote workers feel empowered and trusted by their managers and teams to do the job at hand, there are still a significant portion of respondents who are concerned about being left behind. 18% of those surveyed in the UAE do not feel trusted to do their job from home, without extensive oversight, and whilst just over half of the workforce feels recognised, the remainder believe their achievements are being overlooked (44%).
Opportunity for progression is another prominent concern, with an alarming 59% of employees worried that not sitting near their manager will impact their career goals. Communicative leadership will be paramount to overcoming the challenge of proximity, as well as maintaining a sense of stability and autonomy. 82% of employees surveyed in the UAE agree that if companies become more widely dispersed, leaders must communicate more to ensure an effective workplace.
Training and development remains front of mind for individuals who now, more than ever, are tasked with mastering technology in their everyday work. 75% of UAE-based employees want leaders to prioritise training on technologies and in digital skills, with nearly two thirds (60%) concerned that this will not improve in the new normal.
Managing Director of Cisco Gulf Region, Shukri Eid, said “people choose an employer for many reasons, but they buy into a company and stay for its culture and values. As we continue to work from home and in many cases, navigate new challenges and opportunities of hybrid working, we have to be inclusive, taking everyone on the journey with us.”
He also urged businesses across the Emirates to take extra steps to ensure that each person within the workforce feels invested in, and tools such as collaboration technology will play a vital role in creating smart workplaces and ensuring that dispersed employees and teams remain connected.
As businesses invest in digital workplace transformation and establish hybrid models, they are faced with the challenge of implementing bespoke long-term digital solutions that truly transform employee experiences regardless of location, and support productivity.
Solutions such as on demand conferencing, enterprise instant messaging and secure file-sharing prove vital in this regard, as does security management to protect against advanced threats.
While 39% feel they have the full technology set-up to work from home, there is still a significant proportion who don’t. Investing in digitisation and equipping employees with the right tools to connect and collaborate is a key part of this journey.
Cloud-based collaboration platforms supported by AI and advanced analytics that enable features such as facial detection, transcriptions, and translations, all while integrating robust cybersecurity measures, play a powerful role in bringing teams together, as well as driving greater engagement and innovation virtually.
