Best companies to work for in the UAE

By Seban Scaria | The 971 Report 

Microsoft Gulf, Marriott and FedEx Express have been rated as the best companies to work for in the UAE, consultancy firm Great Place to Work Gulf revealed on Tuesday.

Abu Dhabi-based furniture store The One and DHL came in fourth and fifth places respectively. Ranking from sixth to 10th place on the list were Ericsson, the Omnicom Media Group, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), Bayt and EMC.

WHAT MAKES THEM GREAT

Omnicom Group is an advertising and marketing holding company whose agencies and networks operate internationally.

The Securities and Commodities Authority is UAE's stock market regulator, while Bayt.com is the Middle East's larget employment website.

EMC Corporation is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service.

David Robert, CEO of Great Place to Work Gulf said: "What is really exciting is the significant improvement UAE companies are showing in terms of employee trust levels and effective HR programs. Benchmarking these companies against our global lists shows the UAE ranks as the eighth-best nation for trust in the workplace.

In addition to its awards for overall workplace excellence, the Institute gave special recognition to the country’s ‘Top Companies for the Millennial Generation’

Microsoft, THE One, DHL and Marriott, which were named in no particular order, were acknowledged for implementing best practices in hiring, developing and retaining millennial generation talent.

According to the Institute, these companies’ programs hold valuable lessons for the UAE business community on how to develop the highly influential and tech-savvy demographic of 20-something year olds, the report said.

[Read the full report here]

THE One, DHL, Marriott and Paramount were also recognised as the best employers for women.

What makes Fedex a great place for employees to work is that it recognises a team member who goes beyond the typical expectations for his or her job to ensure the customer’s needs are met, the report said.

Companies must have at least 15 employees and have operated for two years to be eligible to enter the awards. They are chosen based on the results of employee surveys and essays written by management.