Culture Diffrences in Workplace

Introduction

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates, namely, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm-al-Quwain, and Ras-al-Khaimah. The UAE has the 5th largest Gross Domestic Product per capita in the world due to its rich oil economy. Along with this, the UAE is a business hub for global investors due to better business opportunities and lifestyles (Christensen, 2010). The objective of this research paper is to analyze the changes in UAE workplaces over the years.

For the last 25 years, Globalization and modernization have played a major role in facilitating changes in UAE workplaces. With the economy experiencing a rapid growth rate, the UAE labor market is experiencing a rapid change as well which in turn effects the organization environment. Some of the major changes that have occurred in the UAE work places over the years will be discussed one after the other. Firstly, the productivity and quality of service in the UAE work place has increased in the last 25 years (Christensen, 2010). This has been facilitated by UAE’s commitment to embrace high standards in providing Information Technology as part of its infrastructure. Secondly, the ratio of expatriates as part of the total work force has increased as UAE is a popular work destination for foreign nationals. Thirdly, UAE’s economy has become extremely diverse which has made work readily available, thus employing many potential workers.

Earlier, it was illegal to hire or employ any child under the age of 18 which has changed now. Today, it is permissible for most organizations to employ youngsters over the age of 15, like for an acting role etc. However, a medical fitness certificate needs to be issued to ensure their physical fitness for the job role. Women, on the other hand, were also not allowed to embrace formal employment earlier. This has also changed now since the UAE government is encouraging women to actively participate in the labor force. Over the last 25 years, the ratio of female to male as part of the total work force has increased considerably. According to Christensen (2010), this change is mainly because women in UAE are over-turning the country’s traditional patriarchal culture. Finally, the changes in UAE Ministry of labor and social affairs have resulted in a lot of changes in the national work place. For instance, most work places are required to adhere to various