UAE: Some firms allow working from abroad for up to a year; eligible roles revealed
In the post-pandemic period, companies have become more flexible when it comes to remote work, especially for certain roles in technology and consultancy sectors.
In March, the UAE government allowed remote work systems for government entities outside the country, which would open up access to global talent without additional costs.
Hana Abu Kharmeh, chief operating officer of Serco Middle East, said they offer global mobility opportunities that enable employees to work remotely from abroad, provided business needs are met and relevant tax and legal obligations are addressed.
'We've supported remote international working across a variety of roles and departments. This includes client-facing positions, such as advisory — where clients have agreed to the arrangement — as well as internal functions like HR and growth. These flexible models have allowed us to retain top talent, offer diverse career development pathways, and respond effectively to evolving workforce expectations,' she added.
'While there is no one-size-fits-all policy, the duration is typically agreed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the role, performance, operational requirements, and compliance considerations. Some arrangements have been formalised for six to 12 months at a time, with the option to extend where appropriate,' Hana added.
Serco Middle East's COO noted that the purpose is to create 'a high-performance culture that supports both individual aspirations and operational excellence.'
While speaking during a panel discussion at an event recently, Nasser AlBlooshi, managing director for UAE at Chalhoub Group, said the company allows staff to work four weeks every year from abroad if employees can sustain regular work hours.
Mahesh Shahdadpuri, CEO of Tasc Outsourcing, said working from home became a huge possibility because of Covid-19 and technology and certain companies in the UAE allow employees to work from abroad.
'Going forward, individual companies have their own policies. We have seen in the US certain companies asking people to come back to work. Here in the UAE, certain firms do it differently. The essence is what your workforce wants, where are you in the evolution of your company, your objectives are clear, your culture is great, then it doesn't matter where people work from,' Shahdadpuri said.
Hana added that the services sector such as advisory and consulting often lend themselves to remote arrangements due to their project-based nature.
'Similarly, technology and digital roles — including software development, data analytics, and IT services — typically allow for effective remote contribution. Corporate functions like HR, marketing, finance, and strategy also tend to support such flexibility, as do creative fields such as content development and design,' added Hana.
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