Dubai is taking steps to alleviate traffic congestion by promoting the expansion of flexible working hours and remote work policies throughout the emirate. Both the public and private sectors are being encouraged to embrace these practices to mitigate traffic issues.
According to two studies, authorities have highlighted that implementing flexible working hours, with a two-hour start window, and allowing four to five remote workdays per month can decrease morning peak travel time in Dubai by 30 per cent. "For instance, if 20 per cent of employees work remotely, traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road could drop by 9.8 per cent and on Al Khail Road by 8.4 per cent. Moreover, flexible working hours alone could lead to a 5.7 per cent reduction in traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road and a 5 per cent reduction on Al Khail Road," authorities stated in a press release.
This announcement came from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Government Human Resources (DGHR) Department, which revealed the findings of two surveys on remote working and flexible working hours. The first survey involved 644 companies with over 320,000 employees, while the second surveyed 12,000 employees from the private sector. The results indicate that 32 per cent of private companies currently have remote work policies in place, with an additional 58 per cent showing readiness to adopt them. Furthermore, 31 per cent of companies have implemented flexible work hours, with 66 per cent of those not currently applying the policy indicating potential for expansion.
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