UAE companies seen investing more into employee wellness

DUBAI / Emirates Business

UAE companies are taking corporate and employee wellbeing seriously as evidenced by growing investments in workplace
wellness initiatives.
The growing recognition of the many positive benefits of wellness programmes not just on employee wellbeing, but also on the overall competitiveness of the organisation are spurring investments on office renovations, additional facilities, sponsoring lifestyle and sporting activities, even training in-house wellness champions, among many other programmes.
Those who have shown exemplary results and inspiring achievements have been shortlisted in the 2017 Daman Corporate Health Awards, a pioneering programme that recognises UAE-based organisations for their
corporate health initiatives.
A total of 48 companies, individuals and programmes are competing for recognition in 11 different categories.
“This year’s finalists have shown exceptional commitment to making employee wellness a priority, and they are commended for that. Here in the UAE, we are just beginning to see this movement gain traction and we hope that by highlighting the achievements of this year’s best entries, they can influence and inspire other organisations to make wellness an integral part of their corporate culture,” says Dr Michael Bitzer, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Insurance Company – Daman, headline sponsor of the awards.
For Roche Diagnostics Mid-
dle East, another finalist, its
people are its biggest asset,
committed to doing their very best work with integrity, courage, and passion.
“Only through highly engaged teams, who are deeply connected to our purpose of ‘doing now what patients need next’, can we make an impact, think and
act boldly and be a part of a global community.
Providing a rewarding and enriching experience means focusing on the things that matter most: maintaining the well-being of our people so they, in turn, can provide the best innovations for patients, respect for diverse perspectives, recognition that celebrates successes as well as healthy risk-taking, leaders who embrace our values and leadership commitments, development that enables meaningful and successful careers, and a great work environment where people feel valued and respected. Our high engagement and retention rates, collaboration, and innovation are a testament to our success; which ultimately ripples to serve our partners and patients with the highest standards possible,” comments Harald Wolf, General Manager, on Roche Diagnostics Middle East’s unwavering belief in its employees across the region. Also competing for the Workplace of the Year award, Saudi German Hospital Dubai (SGHD) believes that achieving work-life balance is an ongoing process and that employee satisfaction is among the management’s top priorities.
“We strive to maintain an optimal work-life balance among its employees and has been actively promoting the wellbeing of its workforce in the best possible way,” says Dr Reem Osman, CEO, SGHD, whose wellness programmes include providing a busy calendar of sports and physical activities for its employees and their families who have free access to the hospital’s well-equipped gym and swimming pool, among other facilities.
Meanwhile, Edris Al Rafi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Holding says the company understands that high productivity comes from a healthy body and mind and therefore a workplace that nurtures wellness is of key priority. A natural progression of this culture and vision is manifested in the physical structure of its new Dubai Holding Headquarters built in line with International Well Building Standards.
“Our main objective in designing this first-of-its-kind building in the region was to provide our employees not just a space for wellness events, but an infrastructure that creates more movement and connected spaces for physical wellbeing, facilitate more interaction for social wellbeing as well as more relaxation spaces for emotional wellbeing.
“Our open and outdoor spaces as well as solar panels are aimed at fostering environmental wellbeing, while having more collaboration spaces could pave the way for more intellectual wellbeing and finally having more healthy food options in our new building could hopefully lead to more choices for nutrition wellbeing,” Al Rafi says.