According to a new study commissioned by US-based multinational technology company Avaya, more than half (52 percent) of UAE employees have felt happier in the past year as a result of working from home.
The ‘Life and Work Beyond 2020’ study, conducted by UK-based research firm Davies Hickman Partners, has found that the UAE employees are among the most enthusiastic about work-from-anywhere models, with 64 percent stating that the opportunity to perform hybrid work will contribute to their happiness. That compares to 40 percent of respondents in Germany, 44 percent in the UK, and 62 percent in the US who said the same thing.
The survey also showed that UAE workers are the best-equipped in the world for remote work, with 64 percent claiming to have access to the technology needed to work from anywhere, a higher percentage than any other nation. Employees in the United States are the second-best prepared, with 62 percent having access to the technology they need to operate from anywhere, compared to 55 percent in the United Kingdom.
Simon Harrison CMO – Avaya
“Avaya’s ‘Life and Work Beyond 2020’ survey presents a compelling case that organizations today play a critical role in our well-being, both as employers and service providers. The question is, how can businesses enable hybrid work while ensuring employees have the tools they need to consistently delight customers? Avaya OneCloud is a composable communication and collaboration platform that enables businesses to bridge employee and customer experiences, with fluid, seamless engagement no matter where employees are working while empowering them to quickly create and deliver memorable experiences at the moment.”
The study also revealed some of the UAE employees’ key concerns about the future of work, with 51 percent stating that returning to the workplace full-time is their biggest concern. Meanwhile, 44 percent identified being replaced by automation as their top concern.
Almost a quarter (24 percent) has said that they have faced difficulties as a result of the remote working model, while 25 percent commented they do not have access to the equipment they need to work remotely.
“Our Life and Work Beyond 2020 study identifies the large-scale changes that are taking place in the world of work, as well as how these changes are perceived by employees. By understanding employees’ concerns about the workplace, both now and in the future, business leaders and government organizations can determine the best routes forward, noted Nidal Abou-Ltaif, President at Avaya International.
