Covid-19 in GCC, navigating working from home abroad

Coronavirus is affecting the two biggest priorities of most expats: daily work and traveling back home.

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Today is Sunday March 15. It could be your first working day from home, or maybe your third week. More companies around the Gulf are asking their employees to work from home as a protective measure to combat the spread of Covid-19, and some countries in the region are also closing down borders, canceling flights, suspending schools and universities, halting daily life on the streets and trying to figure out ways to supply an increasing demand of certain products.

While some are used to flexible/remote working and some aren’t, it’s different when working from your home is no longer a convenient option you can make use of every now and then, and it’s also different if you live alone away from family, or have kids also staying at home, with everyone trying to navigate what everyone needs to do under a cloud of worry.

By the first week of March, 35% of GCC employers were considering asking their employees to work from home, while 51% restricted business travel and 33% limited external meetings.

Having more control over your schedule and hours can feel great, but it can also mean finding yourself still working at 11pm. Time management and communication with your teammates top the list of things to watch out for that might have used to come more naturally at the office.

Try to limit your distractions, which can be challenging sometimes at home. I find it helpful to restrict “work” to a certain corner of my apartment and never work during coffee breaks or while having lunch. Also, don’t forget to have lunch!

On LinkedIn, members have been sharing their best tips and tricks to get the work day going from home, whether or not you can’t start the day without a “commute” walk around your building, or need a video conference call to get you to change out of your pajamas, we can all learn something or two about moving the office home. Share your tips using #WFH and in the comments below!

“I would definitely say "clean body, clean mind" - get dressed as in your pyjamas you may feel lazier. I have been #WFH on occasions and it is extremely hard with a 2 year old, I think the key is to have a plan, go for a walk and don't forget to eat!” Tamara Wright

“The most important trick I found helpful, that I created my "work space" at home, I don't need to turn my home -where I usually relax from work- into a place that's associated with the idea of having my laptop on my lap and working in endless working hours, my favorite rocking-chair is never tainted with work related activities. There are places to relax, and others to work, even at home.” Riham Essam

“Manage your time just as if you're in office. Losing routine can add to a feeling of loss or lack of purpose.” Yosra Mostafa

“It's all about Mindset! 1- Setup your home work space 2- Get out of distractions 3- Plan and prioritize your objectives/tasks 4- Work and get things done 5- Take a break every while and don't forget to enjoy” Ahmed Muselhy

LinkedIn editor Chris C. Anderson shares a survival guide for working from home with kids. Also Check out these free LinkedIn Learning courses to help make you navigate working from home and the essential skills it calls for.

What GCC companies are doing to support

In addition to advising their employees to work from home, some GCC companies are offering support to the community in these difficult times. For example in Saudi, stc is offering free browsing for listed distant learning platforms. In the UAE, telecom provider du is partnering with the Ministry of Education and offering access to listed schools’ websites, e-learning platforms, and material download for no extra cost for customers. Access to *some* VoIP applications will be granted, Etisalat is offering Etisalat Cloud Meeting for free for the next 3 months.

UAE airlines are waiving cancellation and rebooking fees for those affected by travel policy changes. And amid exceptional increase in purchase habits, Alain Bejjani, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim and LinkedIn Top Voice shares how Carrefour is handling unprecedented demand. 

The Covid-19 situation in the Gulf so far

Your daily commute to the office is not the only thing that was suspended, schools are now suspended in UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar. Distant learning courses are in while schools and universities are out. The debate is back around lifting the ban on free VoIP calls in the UAE to facilitate communication for working and learning from home. 

Kuwait has shut down daily activities and gatherings in cafes and restaurants, closing gyms and private health clubs, and announcing the period between March 12 and 26 a public holiday.

International travel also faces uncertainty as Gulf countries adjust their policies, banning travelers from affected countries, some suspending all commercial flights to and from the country (Kuwait and Saudi Arabia), along with halting the issuing of new tourism visas (UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar) 

How are you handling working from home? What are some tips you find helpful in getting into the focus zone? Share your thoughts in the comments below, along with what you’d like to read about next using #ThatExpatLife.

And finally, don't forget to...