The establishment of a culture of happiness and positivity among stakeholders is one of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s strategic objectives, and a key component of its mission and corporate values. In all of these values, employee happiness comes first. DEWA’s senior management believes that having a happy and positive employee ensures the happiness of all those dealing with the employee. DEWA has worked to promote employee happiness and thus, raise the level of loyalty and belonging and enhance their productivity, and establish positivity as a fundamental value in the community. This supports our leadership’s vision to make Dubai the happiest city in the world.

“DEWA places employee happiness within its strategic priorities. We learned from HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, that employee happiness is essential to achieve community happiness.  DEWA has therefore launched the Employment happiness programmes, in line with its corporate strategy aimed at creating a happier and more positive work environment. DEWA also works to launch initiatives and programmes aimed at providing an encouraging work environment. According to the Employee Happiness Survey, DEWA recorded a happiness index of 83.22% in 2017, compared to 81.15% in 2016,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

An accurate approach to measure happiness

Al Tayer highlighted that the employee happiness index is measured according to a mechanism established by DEWA. It depends on planning, supervising, and implementing the index in accordance with a specific methodology that takes into consideration the principles and requirements of stakeholder surveys in cooperation with the Employee Happiness Department. The study measures employees' happiness in various aspects of DEWA’s work, while allowing them the opportunity to express their views and suggestions on topics of interest to them. The results of the study are also used to develop new programmes and initiatives to enhance employee happiness.

“We are keen to invest in our human resources, and to provide programmes and training courses in work, positivity, creativity, and innovation, based on our belief that our human capabilities are the most important element in achieving success and continuous excellence. This helps us in keeping abreast of developments and rapid changes, and launching pioneering projects and initiatives, based on a clear and integrated approach focused on innovation, early exploration of opportunities and challenges, analysis, and long-term proactive plans. This allows us to reach the future government, and keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” added Al Tayer.

Internal Excellence Award

“DEWA adopts a clear strategy to establish a culture of success and excellence among its employees. We continuously encourage and motivate employees by honouring those who excel and highlight their creativity, innovations, and contributions to develop and improve organisational performance. DEWA has developed the Internal Excellence Award to enhance all its performance, improve its service quality, and promote a culture of excellence and encourage positive competitiveness among staff. DEWA’s Internal Award is based on the Dubai Government Excellence Program (DGEP) and Hamdan bin Mohammed Award for Smart Government criteria. These were customised to meet the needs and directions of DEWA’s leadership, to enhance a competitive and positive environment, develop individual and collective performance to sustain excellence across all its operations,” continued Al Tayer.