The Role of the Public and Employee Relations Department in Increasing Social Support in the Diverse Workplaces of the United Arab Emirates

Badreya Al-Jenaibi

Abstract


This paper examines the social support available to foreign employees in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Public and Employee Relations departments of their employers. The research reports on how foreign employees find social support and who mentors them in the first year. Information was collected and analyzed from interviews with both new employees and with members of the Public and Employee Relations departments. It addresses the questions of what are the main problems and stressors that new workers face, what kind of social support foreign workers receive in their first year, and the response of Public and Employee Relations departments. It concludes with recommendations for improving the support structure for diverse new employees.
Key words: Employee Relations; Public Relations; Human Resources; Social Support; Stress and Buffer theory; Immigrants; United Arab Emirates

Resumé: Cet article examine le soutien social offert aux employés étrangers aux Emirats arabes unis (EAU) à travers les services des relations publiques avec les employés de leurs employeurs. La recherche présente la façon dont les employés étrangers trouvent le soutien social et qui sont leurs mentors dans la première année. L'information a été recueillie et analysée à partir d'entretiens avec à la fois les nouveaux employés et les membres des services des relations publiques avec les employés. Il aborde les questions de ce que sont les problèmes principaux et les facteurs de stress confrontés par les nouveaux travailleurs, quel genre de soutien social des travailleurs étrangers reçoivent dans leur première année, et la réponse des services des relations publiques avec les employés. Il conclut l'article en faisant des recommandations d'améliorer la structure de soutien pour les nouveaux employés.
Mots-clés: Relations Avec les EmployÉS; Relations Publiques; Ressources Humaines; Soutien Social; ThÉOrie de Stress Et de Tampon; Immigrants; Emirats Arabes Unis

Keywords


Employee Relations; Public Relations; Human Resources; Social Support; Stress and Buffer theory; Immigrants; United Arab Emirates ;Relations Avec les EmployÉS; Relations Publiques; Ressources Humaines; Soutien Social; ThÉOrie de Stress Et de Tampon; Immig

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/j.ccc.1923670020110702.018

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