Latest news with #FutureWorkforceSummit2025
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Taking a break from work to hit the gym? How executives can model work-life balance
Healthy work environments begin with what employees see from their leaders — not just what they're told. Culture shifts through example, not just memos. That was the message echoed by HR leaders during the Future Workforce Summit 2025, held at the Address Sky View Hotel in Dubai, where work-life harmony took centre-stage as a critical pillar of modern workplace culture. At the summit, Anam Irfan, an HR executive and wellness advocate, said, 'There's no such thing as perfect balance,' she said. 'But harmony is achievable — if leaders model it. Employees are watching. What we normalise from the top is what becomes culture.' She recounted an example from her own experience working with a C-suite executive in a major digital firm in the GCC. The executive prioritised his personal wellness by blocking time mid-day to visit the gym — a small act that led to a 25 per cent to 30 per cent increase in employees doing the same. 'When the leader made wellness visible and unapologetic, others felt safe to follow,' Irfan added. 'That's how culture shifts — through example, not just memos.' Irfan also pointed out that in the GCC region, many professionals — especially expatriates — face heightened job insecurity, which makes it even more crucial for leaders to signal that taking care of one's health is not just acceptable but expected. 'This isn't like being in your home country where job transitions feel safe. Here, people hold on tightly to their roles. That's why leadership's role in normalising balance is even more vital,' she said. Culture and accountability go hand-in-hand The Future Workforce Summit 2025, organised by KT Events and held at the Address Sky View Hotel in Dubai, is designed to spark vital conversations about the workplace and challenge traditional norms in the UAE and beyond. Mirray Fahim, People & Organisation Director at Novo Nordisk UAE, expanded on this message with concrete examples of how accountability for wellness is embedded at every level of her organisation. 'We don't just talk about wellness — we measure it,' she said. 'You can't manage what you don't measure.' At Novo Nordisk, an annual engagement survey called Evolve includes dedicated questions about stress, physical well-being, and whether employees feel their company cares about them. These results aren't just stored in HR files — they're tied to leadership performance reviews and even bonuses. 'Leaders are held accountable. If their teams show low engagement or high stress, they're enrolled in targeted support programs with organisational psychologists to unpack the 'why' and improve,' Fahim shared. She emphasised that the data shows a clear link — high engagement correlates strongly with lower stress, and the reverse is also true. For Novo Nordisk, wellness is not a 'nice to have' but a business imperative. Prevention pays off — literally Fahim also highlighted Novo Nordisk's global initiative, NovoHealth, which focuses on six pillars of preventive care — including mental health, fitness, and regular health checks. 'We offer every employee gym memberships, yoga classes, even a home treadmill,' she noted. 'Some might say that's a luxury. But our insurance data shows it saves us 2 to 4 times the cost over time, when we prevent chronic conditions.' This long-term view, she explained, has led the company to design benefits that span life stages — whether it's 14 weeks of paid parental leave, fully paid caregiver leave for employees with aging parents, or remote work flexibility for those going through personal challenges. She closed with a deeply human example — when an employee dealing with a high-risk pregnancy asked for extended unpaid leave, the company instead worked with her to redesign her role to be remote-friendly — ensuring her health, income, and peace of mind were all preserved. 'We saw her as a whole person, not just a worker. That's what wellness really means.' The session made it clear that the future of healthy workplaces lies not in slogans or superficial benefits, but in the willingness of leaders to model wellness, take accountability for their teams' emotional climate, and treat employees as humans first. As Irfan put it, 'if we want healthier workspaces, the change has to start with us. We build the blueprint through our behavior. Culture is contagious.'
Khaleej Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
People before tech: KT list celebrates GCC's Most Influential HR Leaders
Khaleej Times — the UAE's first English-language newspaper — is proud to unveil its inaugural list of the GCC's Most Influential HR Leaders. This marks the launch of a new series of curated editorial lists designed to spotlight the individuals and ideas shaping the future of key industries across the region. We begin this journey by recognising the trailblazers in human resources — those driving meaningful, people-first transformation in an era defined by rapid technological change. Despite artificial intelligence (AI) and automation reshaping the job market, the future of work is not only about technology — it's about people. And the leaders on our list prove that the people agenda must remain at the heart of sustainable organisational success. They are redefining workplace culture, championing diversity and inclusion, nurturing local talent through Emiratisation, and aligning HR strategies in line with the UAE's tech-driven future. To ensure a credible selection process, Khaleej Times convened a distinguished five-member jury composed of industry experts and an editorial panel. This group evaluated the nominees through a rigorous, data-informed process based on key parameters including talent retention, employer branding, workplace culture, Emiratisation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We are proud to honour the individuals who are keeping people at the centre of progress. Their leadership reminds us that even in a high-tech future, it is humans who will drive change. The full list will be officially unveiled today at the Future Workforce Summit 2025 in Dubai. Join us in celebrating the changemakers shaping tomorrow's workforce today.
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Future Workforce Summit 2025 by Khaleej Times Events to pioneer the transformation of human resources in the UAE
Dubai: The UAE's most influential minds in HR, talent development, and workforce innovation are gathering for Future Workforce Summit 2025 taking place on Wednesday, April 30, at Address Sky View Hotel in Dubai. Organised by KT Events, the one-day summit themed 'Innovate, Inspire, Transform, reflects the UAE's commitment to being a global talent hub across sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, and renewable energy. The summit will also examine how organisations adapt to the expectations of Gen-Z employees – from redefining workplace values to creating inclusive and purpose-driven environments. The Future Workforce Summit 2025 is designed to spark vital conversations, challenge traditional norms, and redefine the future of work in the UAE and beyond. Pillars of workplace culture It will be a day of visionary dialogues and transformational insights. The summit will start with a keynote exploring the synergy between talent, technology, and organisational culture. Topics throughout the day will cover how AI is transforming HR through smarter recruitment and workforce planning. There will also be a discussion on the importance of employer branding in attracting and retaining top talent, and how mental health and employee well-being are becoming core pillars of workplace culture. A dedicated session will shed light on nationalisation strategies and their role in building a future-ready workforce in the UAE. Leadership development will take centre stage, with focus on empathy, adaptability, and the power of continuous learning. Rounding out the agenda, the discussion will explore the UAE's transformation into a global talent destination and how business-friendly policies, sectoral demand, and visionary leadership are shaping the region's workforce strategy. Honouring top CHROs A major highlight of the day will be the exclusive curtain reveal of the 'Top CHRO Leaders of the Year', celebrating outstanding individuals who have redefined HR leadership across the region. These changemakers will be honoured for their strategic vision, people-first culture, and transformative impact in shaping the workforce of tomorrow. This recognition will add a special note of inspiration and celebration to the summit. Championing nationalisation, inclusion The summit will also deep dive into the role of localisation in workforce planning by highlighting the importance of integrating cultural awareness with global HR best practices. Attendees will gain insights into how Emiratisation and similar initiatives are actively redefining talent strategies in the UAE, while maintaining the country's competitive edge. This summit is more than just a gathering, it's a movement to reimagine the future of work. It is a platform where innovation meets strategy, and where ideas become actions.
Khaleej Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Redefining the future of work in the UAE and beyond
The UAE's most influential minds in HR, talent development, and workforce innovation are gathering for the 'Future Workforce Summit 2025' taking place on April 30 at Address Sky View Hotel in Dubai. Organised by KT Events, the one-day summit themed 'Innovate, Inspire, Transform,' reflects the UAE's commitment to being a global talent hub across sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance and renewable energy. The summit will also examine how organisations adapt to the expectations of Gen-Z employees — from redefining workplace values to creating inclusive and purpose-driven environments. The 'Future Workforce Summit 2025' is designed to spark vital conversations, challenge traditional norms and redefine the future of work in the UAE and beyond. Pillars of workplace culture It will be a day of visionary dialogues and transformational insights. The summit will start with a keynote exploring the synergy between talent, technology and organisational culture. Topics throughout the day will cover how AI is transforming HR through smarter recruitment and workforce planning. There will also be also be a discussion on the importance of employer branding in attracting and retaining top talent and how mental health and employee well-being are becoming core pillars of workplace culture. A dedicated session will shed light on nationalisation strategies and their role in building a future-ready workforce in the UAE. Leadership development will take centre stage, with focus on empathy, adaptability and the power of continuous learning. Rounding out the agenda, the discussion will explore the UAE's transformation into a global talent destination and how business-friendly policies, sectoral demand and visionary leadership are shaping the region's workforce strategy. GCC's Most Influential HR Leaders List A major highlight of the day will be the exclusive curtain reveal of 'GCC's Most Influential HR Leaders List', celebrating outstanding individuals who have redefined HR leadership across the region. These changemakers will be honoured for their strategic vision, people-first culture and transformative impact in shaping the workforce of tomorrow. This recognition will add a special note of inspiration and celebration to the summit. Championing nationalisation, inclusion The summit will also deep dive into the role of localisation in workforce planning by highlighting the importance of integrating cultural awareness with global HR best practices. Attendees will gain insights into how Emiratisation and similar initiatives are actively redefining talent strategies in the UAE, while maintaining the country's competitive edge. This summit is more than just a gathering, it's a movement to reimagine the future of work. It is a platform where innovation meets strategy and where ideas become actions.
