My time at Hays Dubai was honestly quite a letdown in terms of professionalism. I had hoped for a positive work environment where employees were valued and appreciated, but unfortunately, that wasn't my experience. One of the biggest issues was the previous Managing Director's complete lack of empathy. Instead of seeing us as individuals, it often felt like we were reduced to mere numbers. This dehumanizing approach was demoralizing and made it clear that there was a significant gap in understanding the human aspect of the workplace. In a field like recruitment, you'd expect a level of professionalism when employees decide to move on. However, there were instances where senior management and the HR Manager didn't handle resignations well at all. Instead of offering best wishes to departing colleagues, they often reacted negatively. Unfair dismissals were disturbingly common. These decisions often seemed arbitrary and left employees feeling confused and demotivated. Such practices not only created an atmosphere of instability but also went against the company's supposed commitment to fairness and employee rights. The disparity in compensation for graduate trainees was also quite concerning. Offering a base salary at AED4000 - 5000 without commission and living allowances fell far short of market standards in Dubai and showed a lack of concern for the financial well-being of these young professionals. What troubled me the most was the preference for candidates with UK connections. Experienced candidates were often favored, especially if they had personal connections with managers or friends within the company. This practice not only limited the diversity of talent but also tilted the playing field in favor of a select few. When we talk about mismanagement, the IT team stands out as a clear example. The IT team, which had the potential to be a thriving part of the business, suffered from ineffective leadership - resulting to the highest resignation rate. The team's supposed “director" rarely contributed to profitability and often spread negativity about team members, creating a toxic work environment and damaging team morale and trust. The so-called director would post job listings on his LinkedIn profile that were either fabricated or not officially authorized (no TOB signed). The extent of unprofessional behavior displayed was truly embarrassing. Hays Dubai also fell short in terms of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). During company gatherings, there was a noticeable division between the "British group" and others, which showed a lack of effort to promote inclusivity and unity among employees from diverse backgrounds. Do better Hays.
