Calls for flexible working hours in Dubai are growing louder as Salik and parking tariffs are set to rise next year. Remote work can not only ease road congestion but also help employees save money and spend more quality time with their families.
Michael da Costa, a long-time Dubai resident, shared his concerns: “Increasing tolls alone won’t solve traffic issues. The new Salik and parking fees will only add financial pressure on drivers. Even alternative routes stay crowded during peak hours. A better solution is introducing flexible work hours and hybrid models.” Da Costa, who serves as the PR and media director at the Philippine Business Council in Dubai, emphasized the need for more practical solutions.
Richelle Fosberry, head of operations at Mojo PR, also doubts the effectiveness of the dynamic pricing scheme for Salik and parking, which will start in January and March next year.
She noted, “Peak hours overlap with my work schedule. I’d have to plan my commute around off-peak hours to save costs. If I had flexible hours or remote work options, I could adjust my travel. Working from home even twice a week helps offset the impact of rising fees.”
Benefits of Flexible Working Hours
A recent survey conducted by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Government Human Resources (DGHR) revealed promising findings:
- 87% of government employees believe flexible hours align with personal needs.
- 89.4% say it improves productivity.
- 80.4% feel remote work productivity matches in-office performance.
- 90% reported no communication or connectivity issues.
Currently, 32% of private companies in Dubai offer remote work options, with 58% ready to expand these policies. The RTA estimates that implementing a two-hour flexible start window and 4-5 remote workdays monthly could reduce morning peak traffic by 30%.
DGHR director-general Abdulla Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi highlighted that remote work is now a vital part of corporate culture in government entities. Some government offices allow staff to start work anytime between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM, spreading out commute times and reducing congestion during rush hours.
Industry-Specific Challenges
While flexible work policies benefit many, they’re not viable for all industries. Joy S. Distor, senior HR executive at Bin Hamoodah Auto, explained, “In the auto sales industry, employees need to be on-site for face-to-face interactions and team collaboration. However, flexible work can work well for accounting, IT, or HR teams. The COVID-19 pandemic proved business operations can continue smoothly with remote options.”
She also cautioned about potential downsides. “When businesses see that flexible work maintains productivity, they might consider downsizing, which could affect some employees,” Distor added.
Tackling Road Congestion
Dr. Monica Menendez, associate dean at NYU Abu Dhabi, believes dynamic pricing schemes for parking and tolls can help reduce car usage. “Variable pricing can discourage some drivers during peak hours. However, for this strategy to work, motorists need reliable alternatives like public transport or flexibility to adjust their schedules,” she explained.
Dr. Menendez emphasized the importance of increasing public transportation availability during major events to handle the shift from private car use. She also noted that flexible working hours can further reduce peak-time congestion by allowing commuters to avoid the busiest periods.
“Combining variable pricing with enhanced public transport and flexible work policies is both practical and highly effective,” she concluded.
Key Takeaway
As Dubai prepares for changes in Salik and parking tariffs, flexible working hours and remote work policies emerge as practical solutions to ease congestion and improve quality of life. Both public and private sectors are encouraged to adopt these approaches to balance productivity with employee well-being.
