How should UAE-based companies ensure a safe return to the workplace?

How should UAE-based companies ensure a safe return to the workplace?

Pat Wadors

Tuesday 07 July 2020

Businesses reopen amid eased out restrictions

As the UAE eases Covid-19 restrictions, most of us are talking about "returning to work.“

But that's too simple of a statement to define every situation. Work is not one-size-fits-all.

Industries vary and workplaces have diverse footprints “” hotels, retail locations, call centers, and yes, traditional office spaces.

Here's how I see it “” It's true that employees in some industries who were furloughed or laid off will (hopefully) see a "return to work“.

But others who had formerly gone to a workplace and now work from home more realistically face a "return to workplace“.

And then there's "workforce readiness“ “” preparing all employees to come back to the workplace in some capacity and facing the policies and training that requires.

This operational diversity increases the complexity of a return. That's echoed in the conversations I'm having with other chief human resources officers (CHRO).

Our dialogue is evolving from pure crisis management to how to manage the new ways in which we work. This crisis has also opened up the possibility for employers to be even more creative and flexible in how they address employee-to-employer needs.

A new era of employee and customer experiences

Return to workplace requires careful planning and