Creating an inclusive workplace goes beyond meeting physical accessibility standards—it’s about understanding the diverse challenges employees face, including those with hidden disabilities. At Bayut and dubizzle, Suzanne Gandy, Director of Human Resources, leads the charge in cultivating a workplace culture where every employee feels seen, supported, and empowered.

By embracing initiatives like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, Bayut and dubizzle reaffirm their commitment to recognizing and addressing the often-overlooked needs of employees with hidden disabilities.

Through raising awareness, providing access to resources, and fostering open dialogue, they aim to create an environment where all individuals can thrive. Suzanne shares insights into how companies can better understand and accommodate hidden disabilities, ensuring employees feel psychologically safe and valued, ultimately driving a more compassionate and productive workplace.

1. How can businesses address the diverse challenges and hidden disabilities that employees are impacted with? 

We have always worked towards recognising and accommodating employees with hidden disabilities, ensuring they feel valued and understood, and joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. 

By raising awareness, providing tools for accessibility and encouraging open communication, we aim to create a culture where every individual can thrive, contributing to a more compassionate and productive environment.

2. Specifically looking at the Sunflower Initiative, which impacts individuals with hidden disabilities, how can companies ensure that employees feel comfortable and psychologically safe in their work environment to perform their jobs well?

To ensure employees with hidden disabilities feel comfortable and psychologically safe, we can leverage the principles of the Sunflower Initiative by fostering an inclusive culture and providing tangible support. 

This includes raising awareness through the trained ambassadors who are eligible to provide support to the ones who need it. It can also happen through training programs that educate employees about hidden disabilities and the importance of empathy. We, as employers, should create safe spaces for employees to disclose their needs without fear of judgment or discrimination. 

Furthermore, providing flexible work arrangements, assistive tools and visible support symbols like the Sunflower can empower employees to perform their roles confidently and comfortably. We believe that these steps collectively promote a culture of trust, inclusion and belonging.

3. What practices do Bayut and dubizzle adopt to enhance employee well-being?

Bayut and dubizzle adopt a holistic approach to employee well-being, recognising that supporting physical, mental, and emotional health is key to fostering a thriving and engaged workforce. Our well-being strategies align with global standards, taking inspiration from the United Nations and World Health Organisation’s yearly calendars of recognised events and activities. We host weekly Workout Wednesdays, where our employees can participate in activities such as volleyball, football, badminton, cricket, padel, and running. We also encourage participation in larger events like the Dubai Run, regional triathlons, and obstacle courses such as Arabian Warrior.

To support mental health, our offices have 30 trained mental health first aiders available to provide guidance to employees experiencing emotional challenges. Additionally, Monday morning meditation sessions help employees start their week with mindfulness, while rest and relaxation rooms as well as desk yoga provide opportunities for employees to recharge during the workday. We also regularly host webinars that tackle topics such as dealing with anxiety, cultivating self-compassion, parenting strategies, personal finance, and several other key topics.

We also enhance employee engagement and satisfaction through initiatives like CERRA (Celebrating Employees Through a Reward & Recognition App), which allows employees to earn points when they participate in wellness days, engagement events, meditation, and workout sessions, turning healthy habits into tangible benefits. These points can then be redeemed for retail, leisure, and lifestyle rewards. Furthermore, our comprehensive medical insurance includes dental and optical coverage, ensuring employees feel supported in every aspect of their health and well-being.

To foster continuous growth and development, we have established a robust Talent Development department that focuses on enhancing the skills of our existing employees to excel in their careers. The department oversees our SEED (Skill Enhancement and Employee Development) programme, which offers over 700 courses across more than 40 categories to empower our employees to explore areas of personal and professional interest. Our leadership development programme “Level Up” further helps provide a transformational learning experience to improve the future-readiness of our business leaders and their teams. Additionally, we offer internships and summer camps that provide opportunities for young students and graduates to learn from Bayut and dubizzle’s inclusive and supportive environment.

By combining well-being initiatives with a strong focus on recognition and development, Bayut and dubizzle cultivate an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and equipped to excel in all aspects of their lives.