The remarks were made by HE while reviewing the National Happiness and Positivity Program themes at the fourth Forum of Human Resource  Club organized by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), under the title "How to Create a Happy Work Environment". The event was held on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 in Dubai, under the patronage of HE Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, Chairman of FAHR, in the presence of HE Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Director General of FAHR, officials of federal entities and about 500 Club members and affiliates from all sectors of the state. Peter Drucker, the international specialist in work environment, delivered a speech at the event.

HE Al-Roumi said: “The vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasizes citizens’ happiness as a top priority and ultimate goal, and the UAE Government is keen to create all the conditions for building a positive community and happy work environment.” She quoted the words of   His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, "the government institutions today need to change their culture and policies to keep up with the global trend towards happiness of employees and customers."

She added that the true measure of success for any government initiative or service, is measured by the degree of sustainable positivity and happiness it brings to the community, asserting that happiness is a result of joint effort by all parties in the government through directing strategies, programs, policies and initiatives to achieve this goal.

Al-Roumi highlighted in her speech the National Happiness and Positivity Program, which is based on three main themes: First, Happiness at Work - includes government initiatives and policies to achieve happiness for the community, enhance the work environment and improve services to achieve satisfaction and happiness for all people. Second, Measurement of Happiness and Positivity - includes design and implementation of scientific indicators to measure happiness at the level of customers, employees and the community. Third, Happiness as a Lifestyle - addresses the issue of promoting happiness and positivity in the community through implementation of activities and community initiatives.

“Every government employee is an ambassador to spread happiness and positivity in the environment and society. Work is currently underway to prepare CEOs for happiness and positivity in each government entity to make happiness a daily practice and workplace culture”, she said.

CEOs for happiness and positivity program has been launched recently in the private sector to emphasize the importance of partnership and integration between the two sectors and enhance the work environment in the private sector, as well as happiness and positivity councils in government institutions in order to implement and follow-up programs and initiatives and promote happiness at workplace.

Ohoud Al Roumi thanked HE Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Owais and  HE Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, and praised the efforts of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources made to continuously  develop national cadres and invest in them. She also commended the role of HR Club, which represents an interactive platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices among government entities.

Dr.. Abdulrahman Al Awar: "New methods and tools to achieve positivity and happiness in work environments."

For his part, HE Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Director General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources stressed on the importance of achieving workplace harmony and employee happiness, especially in the federal government institutions. He called for devising new methods and tools to promote innovation and excellence, to shape a better future for the coming generations and achieve the aspirations of the wise leadership, led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

HE reviewed the key features of Employee Wellness Program in the federal government, recently prepared by FAHR in order to improve the workplace environment, facilitate maximum employee engagement  and increase job satisfaction and happiness at work, which would be reflected positively on their performance.

HE said: "The Employee Wellness Program is in line with the principles of the National Happiness and Positivity Charter approved by the Council of Ministers in early 2016, and which stipulates the UAE’s commitment to establishing an environment that ensures the happiness and well-being of individuals, families and society. It also seeks to create a positive and happy working environment for employees in the government sector through instilling corporate values ​​in all government institutions.

“The program contributes to creating a positive corporate culture that helps increase employees’ happiness and ability to deliver exceptional services, thus achieving satisfaction among customers, both citizens and residents,   and the ultimate goal of the UAE government, a culture of positivity and happiness as a lifestyle.”

HE Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar reviewed a number of initiatives launched by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources in the field of employee wellness and workplace harmony and happiness, such as  discounts program for the Federal Government employees "Imtyazat";  two initiatives involving Federal Government’s preferred training partners: "Ma’aref" and "Qudrat”;  "Maqassert" e-card; and initiatives related to performance management, training and development, rewards and incentives, occupational health and safety,etc.

Peter Drucker: Understanding reasons and importance of what we do makes difference

Dr. Peter Ducker, adviser and global expert in business skills talked about the importance of happiness in the work environment by raising awareness of employees about the value of “what” they do rather than “how” they do. He said: "What motivates us to progress in our lives positively is to understand the reasons and importance of what we do and why we continue in a particular job and not merely an answer to the question what we do?

"The work environment conducive to happiness and positivity motivates people to increased efficiency and productivity. An employee who works positively will feel much more happier than others. Reaching this stage requires the development of skills to navigate between three stages: why, how, and what,”

Ducker explained the chemicals in human body that lead to foster a sense of happiness, pointing out that the secretion of hormones in the body is enhanced through different positions humans face, such as a sense of appreciation and other positive human values.

It is worth mentioning that the global expert and trainer Peter Ducker  focuses on empowerment of individuals and organizations to achieve results that help realizing the noble goals of work that they do to reflect positively on the level of happiness in work and life.

He is a consultant in leadership and life skills and executive coach of many international companies and organizations, and seeks to train staff to formulate common goals and motivate them to achieve their goals and create an innovative work environment and teamwork. He has worked in various sectors in more than 80 countries.

HR Club

For his part, HE Ibrahim Fikri, Executive Director of Support Services Sector in the Authority, delivered a presentation highlighting the role of Human Resource Club which was launched by FAHR in 2010. He explained that the Club The Human Resources Club, is one of the vital  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.

He said: “The HR Club offers its membership, which has grown to over 12 thousand from outside the federal government, an ideal opportunity to learn about the best practices, experiences and success stories of many individuals and institutions, as well as meeting with specialists and actors in the field of institutional work”. He thanked the Club  sponsors for 2016:  Emirates Islamic Bank and “Ma’aref” Group.

Ibrahim Fikri noted that the Club saw over the past years a major development with regard to programs and initiatives, most notably the launch of an electronic HR forum in partnership with LinkedIn - linked to FAHR page on the network – with over 2400 followers including HR professionals in the world in areas related to human capital development. The Forum has discussed nearly 30 topics related to human resource issues since its inception.

"Imtyazat" Exhibition

The HR Club Forum featured an exhibition organized by partners of Imtyazat imitative, launched to offer special and exclusive discounts for the the Federal Government employees under agreements signed by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources with private companies. Organization that participated in the exhibition included:  Etihad Airways, Juma Al Majid Group, represented company Hyundai motors, Emirates Islamic Bank, Ma’aref Group and Madeor Hospital.

A set of prizes were presented by Etihad Airways, JW Marriott hotels in the UAE, Emirates Islamic Bank, Madeor Hospital, Hyatt Regency Creek, in form of air tickets, hotel bookings, medical checkups, bank accounts, restaurant vouchers, etc.