du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), has been recognised for its inspiring commitment to encourage and uphold operational excellence, winning the “Seamless Workplace Award” for 2020 at the GCC GOV HR Awards 2021. The Middle East’s key human resource (HR) event recently returned for its ninth consecutive edition, bringing together influential minds and key stakeholders from the regional HR space to celebrate new benchmarks, showcase best practices, and further reinvent the role of HR. And following the leading UAE telco provider’s exemplary leadership in embracing remote working to ensure business continuity, du was announced the winner in a highly competitive category that included nine prominent government entities and private sector organisations.

With remote operations becoming an integral business component since 2020, the event’s Seamless Workplace Award segment shed light on du’s successful adaptability to new normal ways of working. Moreover, the occasion served as a platform for demonstrating the telco’s prudent efforts to create a streamlined remote operating environment through strategic planning and essential resources provision. du’s category victory is a testament to the organisation’s innovative culture and proactive approach to fulfilling the needs of customers and employees alike, consolidating its position as a top employer of choice when attracting talent.

du implemented a holistic approach with a view to building a futuristic, engaging, digital-first workplace, a decision that has proven invaluable. Today, the organisation’s people are even more confident, satisfied, engaged, and empowered. While this period was not without challenges, du’s recognition at the GCC GOV HR Awards, a stage of the highest caliber, emphasizes the benefits now being enjoyed by the company and more importantly, its people.  

To guide staff during the transition to remote working, du’s Service Operations team provided constant support, with video tutorials proving to be particularly effective. At the same time, the organisation’s leadership maintained related communications of the highest standards, employees were given opportunities to submit their feedback to make improvements where necessary, and du’s ‘My Journey’ platform offered various digital learning resources and courses. These efforts collectively contributed to du ensuring employee well-being, business continuity, and ultimately winning the “Seamless Workplace Award” at the GCC GOV HR Awards 2021.