Best companies to work for in the UAE revealed

Are you employed by one of the best companies to work for in the Emirates? A new survey lists what it says are the top ten.

What makes them great: Fed Ex's P-S-P or "people-service-profit" philosophy guides all of their efforts. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

It may not hand out free M&Ms or offer foosball, but the workplace culture of FedEx Express is clearly appreciated by staff.
The courier company has topped the list of the best organisations to work for in the second annual survey by the Great Place to Work Institute UAE.
The institute, which assesses the level of credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie within an organisation, lists the top 10 companies to work for, as well as the best ones for Emiratis and women.
Two thirds of a company's score is based on staff feedback, with an audit of the management and HR practices by the institute making up the remainder.
More companies took part this year, according to the institute, although it refuses to reveal the total number.
This year's list was dominated by multinational organisations and included brands such as Microsoft, Marriott and PepsiCo. But a couple of home-grown companies also made the cut, including the jobs website Bayt.com.
FedEx climbed one position from last year to knock Microsoft off the top spot.
"We have been talking about this all week. I have had couriers at my door asking 'do you know yet?' It's been incredible. It is part of our culture, this type of camaraderie," said David Ross, the senior vice president for the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa for FedEx.
Communication and treating employees well are both key to the company's success, he says. FedEx offers employees US$2,500 (Dh9,182) each year for professional development tuition and operates a policy of promotion from within.
"I started loading airplanes," Mr Ross said. "My boss, who is the president of Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, started as a courier as well, as did his boss."
Only two local companies made the list, and just one – THE One – made the top five.
"If you think about it, if you're not happy at your work, you don't do a good job. Happy people do better business," said Thomas Lundgren, THE One's chief executive, or creative empathy orator, as he prefers to be known.
THE One, where 40 per cent of managers and executive managers are female, was also among three companies that were singled out for being the best companies for women.
"If I had a choice to hire a woman or a man I would rather hire a woman," Mr Lundgren said. "Why? Women have much more empathy than men have. I am pretty sure if you worked as a neurosurgeon I am not so sure empathy is not the most important thing, but if you are a salesman I am sure empathy is a huge part."
Two companies were also held up as top companies for Emiratis – PepsiCo and General Electric, which was also recognised for being a great workplace for women.
"It is the first year for us. We surveyed a massive group and for us, honestly, it was about baselining," said Wayne Davies, the HR director of GE Corporate. "To do that in the first year and get called out in the areas of localisation for Emiratis and women was, quite frankly, speaking as the HR leader for the region, the two most important areas."
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