The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) recently held the Sixth Forum of the HR Club for 2014, in Dubai entitled "Employee Wellfare", under the patronage of HE Hussein Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, and the presence of HE Director General Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, a number of FAHR officials, nearly 200 of the Club members and human resources professionals in the public and private sectors.
The HR Club hosted Dr.Anil Khurana, Partner at PwC Management Consultancy, Mr. Joshua Hannan, Director of 30 BELOW. Both speakers shed light on the importance of employee welfare programs to institutions, and their positive impact on raising employee productivity in general, and improving the lives of individuals in particular, in addition to the leadership’s role in activating employee welfare programs, as well as the underlying objectives of these programs, and major success factors.
Dr. Anil Khurana gave a presentation on the role of employee welfare programs applied by some local and international institutions to increase job satisfaction levels, to motivate employees and raise their productivity, in addition to achieving corporate goals. “Institutions, whether governmental, semi-governmental or private are required now more than ever to adopt this type of incentive programs if they are to realize their vision, mission and strategic objectives”, he concluded.
Khurana said that the return on investment of employee welfare programs is significant; in the language of numbers every dollar invested in this area, generates four dollars, as it leads to higher production, less staff leaves and reduced spending on health care.
He explained that employee welfare programs have gained much importance around the world, and is considered among the best global practices in areas relating to employee motivation, especially in light of the rapid changes taking place today on the political, economic and social levels, noting that these changes significantly and directly affect the performance and productivity of employees.
Dr. Anil Khurana said: “Institutions must not ignore an essential aspect of welfare programs, namely organizing sports activities for employees, especially for sedentary job holders who spend their entire working day at the office or behind a computer screen. Moreover it is very important that employers encourage their employees to celebrate different social events such as birthdays and weddings which have an effective impact on reactivating their potential and strengthening institutional loyalty”.
He stressed the need for high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, which reduce reliance on sugars and fat to get rid of stress and anxiety and boost employees’ positive energy at work.
Joshua Hannan talked about some of the health habits that contribute greatly to increasing employee productivity in various workplaces. These include eating low-calorie healthy meals during working hours, and much fruits and vegetables which provide the body with its needs of proteins and minerals, staying away as much as possible of fast-food that negatively affect physical activity and concentration. He added: “The brain reacts well with healthy food which helps improve the ability to learn and remember, as well as rreduce stress, ward off anxiety and feelings of depression.
“Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system and helps regulate the blood circulation, thus improving mental health generally, allowing more glucose and oxygen to the brain”.
He stressed the role of institutions and companies in achieving employee welfare objectives through providing awareness programs and encouraging healthy habits practices in the work environment. “Special areas must be assigned for this kind of activity which plays a significant role in increasing productivity and job satisfaction and reflects positively on the achievement of institutional strategic objectives,” he said.
Fatima Al Houti reviews Employee Welfare Program at FAHR
On the sidelines of the forum, Ms. Fatima Al Houti, Director of Human Resources & Services confirmed that the Employee Welfare Program was launched in 2014 by FAHR for the well-being of its employees and aims to improve employee performance and raise their productivity. “At the same time, it has been introduced as part of FAHR’s social responsibility towards all Federal Government employees, help them to strike a balance between personal and professional life, in addition to achieving talent attraction and retention and boosting job satisfaction and institutional loyalty”, she said.
Al Houti explained that the Employee Welfare Program at FAHR comprises four initiatives, each including a set of activities and projects on health, occupational safety, green environment, and community. She said: “FAHR has organized a number of activities under each initiative; concerning health, for example, a campaign was launched to use the stairs instead of the elevators at workplace, and distributed educational pamphlets about the benefits of using the stairs. With regard to occupational safety, FAHR held a training workshop for its employees on occupational safety in collaboration with the Civil Defense authorities.
"FAHR pays special attention to energy saving by reducing consumption of electricity, so as to maintain a healthier environment. Regarding community initiatives, FAHR seeks to promote effective participation of its employees in volunteer work. It participated in the last Gift Box Appeal, a charity initiative launched by Radisson Blu Hotels in collaboration with a number of agencies in the UAE, including Dubai Municipality and the Red Crescent.”
About HR Club
The Human Resources Club, is one of these major initiatives, launched in 2010, with the objective of developing and empowering human capital, and to provide a platform that brings together human resource professionals and practitioners in the public and private sectors under one umbrella, to exchange knowledge, ideas, experiences and solutions that would enhance the employee competencies and promote the role of human resource departments in order to bring about the desired change.
The Club aims to create an intellectual and cognitive communication between human resources professionals and public administration officials in the UAE, and to exchange views and discuss the challenges and solutions relating to issues of public administration and institutional services at various work sites. In addition, it seeks to transfer experiences and best practices among managers, specialists, experts, researchers and those interested in the development of human capital, locally, regionally and internationally.