Remote Work Policy Change by Dubai Co-Founder

An Indian-origin co-founder in Dubai has shared that a refusal to permit remote work resulted in a resignation and prompted a policy shift within the company. Malik A, co-founder of Virtualpartner, disclosed in a LinkedIn post that one of his top employees requested to work remotely on Fridays. He mentioned that the employee’s tasks were primarily independent, yet he opted not to grant the request.

Malik expressed concerns that if he approved the request, it could lead to a flood of similar demands, causing the office to be empty on Fridays. He conveyed that the employee accepted the decision without argument, stating simply that it was acceptable.

Two months later, the CEO reported that the employee resigned, highlighting the denied work-from-home request during her exit interview. While it was not the principal reason for her departure, it marked the moment she realised her manager lacked trust in her abilities.

Malik elaborated that the employee had a two-hour commute each way, and Fridays presented particular challenges due to heavy traffic. He acknowledged that allowing one day of remote work could have significantly improved her situation.

He reflected on the situation by stating that he had said no to a problem that had not yet occurred. Following this experience, Malik revised his stance on flexibility in the workplace, now approving all reasonable requests for flexible work arrangements. He noted that the office continues to operate smoothly, and employees have not taken advantage of the updated policy.

The post sparked a lively discussion online, with numerous users expressing their opinions.

One user remarked that it is ironic how companies tend to listen only after an employee has left. They commented that employees often find their voices ignored when attempting to address genuine issues while still on the job. They were pleased that Malik recognised the significance of flexibility, which is not always acknowledged.

Another user stated that until a shift in mindset occurs, and trust in employees—especially those with a strong track record—becomes the norm, no real change will happen. They compared this evolution in thinking to technological advancements.

A third commenter shared that rules tend to apply to those who are not trusted, while for others, results should be the focus. They highlighted the paradox of fearing the chaos associated with flexible work, only to discover that autonomy is actually a strong catalyst for accountability. They suggested it is preferable to have an empty office on Fridays than empty desks on Mondays.

A fourth participant in the conversation wondered what actual impact it has if no one is present in the office on Fridays, provided everyone is still completing their work and attending the office throughout the rest of the week.