PwC Middle East announces annual firmwide blackout days and bold actions to support its people

• The firmwide blackout days will be used to prioritise rest and recovery, digital detox and reducing carbon emissions across the region
• Investing USD 20 million in digitally upskilling 7,000 people across the region
• Seven month maternity leave with four months paid for new mothers
• Adaptable flexible model launched, enabled by an open dialogue around flexibility

PwC Middle East has announced bold actions tied to flexibility and wellbeing to further enhance its people experience for over 7,000 employees across the region. The new people framework reinforces a hybrid approach, bringing the best of employees and the firm, reinforcing PwC Middle East’s commitment to supporting its people.

Hani Ashkar, PwC Middle East Senior Partner said: “Our new people framework is aligned with our global strategy, The New Equation, covering everything from how we enable our employees with continuous learning opportunities and transformative work to how we give back to the communities we operate in and make an impact as employers of choice in the region. It’s built on a two-way exchange that brings the best of our firm but also empowers and enables top talent, reinforcing our investment in the region.” 

The new framework is powered by offering talent in the Middle East evolving flexibility and wellbeing, transformative work, a culture of care, and an established development legacy. 

“Long gone is the idea that work should be completely removed from life and vice versa. Today, living a fulfilling life means that you’re met with opportunities to deliver transformative work but also have the ability to look after yourself. We’re a business that leads with the heart and prioritises its people. Led by our value of care, we find ways to help our teams, our clients and one another. We celebrate a job well done through distinctive recognition and rewards, in ways that are the most meaningful to us - our people framework is an extension of these daily practices and part of our evolution,” Mona Abou Hana, PwC Chief People Officer for EMEA and the Middle East explained.

Mona added: “We’re a community of solvers that come together in unexpected ways to build trust and deliver sustained outcomes. We solve important problems, support one another as we grow, develop and build fulfilling careers. We thrive in uncertainty, operate with integrity and leverage the diverse perspectives of our teams. That’s who we are, and we’ve launched our refreshed people framework to enable this.”

Grounded by the belief that the most important problems are solved through collaboration, the people framework is reinforced by bold actions, which are guided by four people-centric outcomes:

Your wellbeing + our transformative work = Balanced Living

• The firm has committed to a firmwide blackout days across 12 countries and is providing its people with a financial incentive to take more than five consecutive days of leave.
• PwC Middle East promises opportunities to work with a variety of leading clients and projects, drawing insights from its tech-powered network and global capabilities. Leveraging its legacy, PwC Middle East is focused on making a difference in its communities, collaborating with others who want to be part of creating positive change in the region.

Your aspirations + our development legacy = Unlocked Potential

• Regionally, the firm has committed to an investment of USD 20 million to digitally upskill its people. As part of this investment, PwC Middle East is committed to digitally upskilling its people by giving them the opportunity to pursue supplemental digital training through a course of their choice, aligned with their career path. 

Your uniqueness + our culture of care = Sense of Belonging

• The firm has announced seven month maternity leave with four months paid for new mothers, in addition to its 15-day flexible paternity leave policy.
• PwC Middle East has also established a range of changes, including a maternity leave buddy programme and paid Keep in Touch (KIT) days to provide support through the transition into motherhood.

Your life + our evolving flexibility = Limitless Possibility

• New adaptable flexible model mapped to employee roles and responsibilities, enabling a hybrid working environment.
• People’s personal commitments are respected and upheld in an open and transparent discussion around personal and professional expectations

The policies will come into effect on 1 November 2021.

About PwC

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. PwC is a network of firms in 156 countries with more than 295,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com.

Established in the Middle East for 40 years, PwC has 22 offices across 12 countries in the region with around 7,000 people. (www.pwc.com/me).

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© Press Release 2021