UAE retailers rank high on 2019 Great Place to Work list

The retail sector in the UAE demonstrated the highest level of participation at the 2019 UAE Great Place to Work survey. Companies such as THE One, Danube Home, Babyshop, Emax, Centrepoint, ShoeExpress, KFC and Pizza Express have been named among the top 30 ‘Best Workplaces’ in the UAE.

From logistics, technology, finance, media, retail, fashion, FMCG, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing, the 2019 Great Place to Work list celebrates efforts across a varied number of industries.

In the ninth annual list of Best Workplaces in the UAE, DHL made a striking return to the top spot from second place last year, due to its efforts to ensure its employees have the best possible work environment. The company has fostered a unique and enviable workplace with an emphasis on learning and development. Judges also applauded DHL for a rich and sustainable culture characterised by trust, respect and fairness.

The ‘Leader of the Year for 2018-2019’ honour went to Thomas Lundgren, CEO of THE One for the second year running. Lundgren was awarded for his efforts in keeping THE One among the top five Best Workplaces list for eight consecutive years and for achieving the highest trust scores from direct reports amongst all participating leaders in the award. Lundgren’s ongoing pursuit to continuously improve THE One’s workplace experience has elevated employees’ perception of management, supported the company’s expansion plan and contributed to its financial performance.

Rounding out the top three best workplaces this year are THE One, followed by Hilton which moved up four spots from last year’s seventh. Impressively leaping five places from ninth last year, CISCO UAE comes in fourth, followed closely by Omnicom Media Group, at number five. Both Hilton and CISCO UAE are new entrants in the top five in this year’s rankings.

FedEx Express, Weber Shandwick, WSP, Hilti and Hill + Knowlton Strategies completed the top ten. The final 20 positions on the list were taken by KFC, Temenos Middle East, Danube Home, General Mills, SAS Middle East, Glander International Bunkering, Five Hotels, NMC Healthcare, Wirecard Dubai, Leminar Air Conditioning Company & Industries, Transworld Group, Delta Partners, UAE Exchange, Babyshop, Emax, Pizza Express, FCM Travel Solutions UAE, Centrepoint, Shoexpress and Al Dabbagh Group.

“There appears to be growing awareness among leaders in the UAE that workplace culture has become a major competitive advantage for their businesses. Pioneering organisations are continuously monitoring their employees’ work environments and seek new and impactful ways to increase happiness levels, enhance skills and retention rates and, ultimately, augment productivity,” says Maha Zaatari, managing director of Great Place to Work in the UAE.

“With 30 companies earning recognition this year, it is immensely reassuring to see a record number of organisations invest in their employees’ well-being and cultivate exceptional workplaces that nurture, motivate and inspire. It is these values of tolerance, diversity, trust and inclusion that are intrinsic to the UAE’s vision and are actively promoted by the government in its quest for sustainable growth and to establish itself as the happiest nation in the world,” she adds.