According to the survey conducted among companies, it was found that 31% of them have implemented flexible working hours, while 66% of those who have not yet adopted such a policy stated that there is potential for the expansion of the usage of this model. These results were discussed during a coordinating meeting between Mattar Al-Tayer, the General Commissioner for Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Happiness, as well as the General Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); and Abdulla Ali bin Zayed Al-Falasi, the General Director of the General Directorate of Human Resources in the government sector.
This meeting was aimed at encouraging the private sector to adopt flexible working hours and the policy of remote work in conjunction with the approved Traffic Plan in Dubai by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Chairman of the Council of the Executive of Dubai just a few months ago.
The Traffic Plan aims to balance the productivity of businesses and the quality of life, expanding the implementation of flexible working hours and remote work policies worldwide. Mattar Al-Tayer noted that the implementation of remote work and flexible working hours in both public and private sectors in Dubai could reduce peak traffic times by up to 30%.
"For example, if 20% of employees were to work remotely, the transport flow on Sheikh Zayed Road could decrease by 9.8%, and on Al-Hail Road by 8.4%," he clarified. Al-Tayer emphasized that the remote work and flexible working hours are part of a strategy to manage transportation demand to achieve a balance and integration within the transportation system.
Al-Falasi stated: "The General Directorate of Human Resources in the government sector (DGHR) is focused on promoting the existing system of remote work and implementing tools, policies, and programs that ensure the happiness and welfare of employees. According to additional information from the governmental statement, only flexible working hours can reduce traffic volumes by 5.7% on Sheikh Zayed Road and by 5% on Al-Hail Road.
The first survey included answers from 644 companies, representing more than 320,000 employees, while the second was directed at 12,000 employees in the private sector. The results showed that 32% of private firms already have a remote work policy, and 58% expressed readiness to further expand the possibilities of remote work.
