1. Please share a brief about your journey of transformation to parent-friendly work culture.
   
   

   At DP World, our transformation into a parent-friendly workplace has been both purposeful and people-centric. Recognising the evolving needs of working parents, we adopted a holistic approach to create an environment where professional responsibilities and family life could harmoniously coexist.

   Our journey began with listening—gathering feedback from employees across levels to understand the real challenges parents face. This helped shape policies that support flexibility, such as remote work options, staggered working hours, and time off to attend important school or family events. Managers were empowered to provide support tailored to individual needs, reinforcing trust and empathy at the core of our culture.

   We introduced family-focused initiatives including educational support for children, wellness sessions for parents, antenatal care workshops, and school-readiness programmes. Our Wellbeing app further complements these, offering personalised well-being resources including parenting content and access to experts.

   Through consistent leadership support and a genuine commitment to employee well-being, At DP World, we have fostered a workplace that recognises, empowers, and supports working parents. Our employees can now balance their family commitments with their career advancement. In our organisation, the roles of parenthood and professional achievement coexist harmoniously.



2. What inspired you to join this movement towards building a parent-friendly workplace?
   
   

   The inspiration stemmed from candid conversations with colleagues who were quietly navigating the complex demands of parenthood alongside their professional responsibilities. Their experiences—sacrificing meaningful family moments, navigating rigid schedules, and feeling undervalued—revealed a clear disconnect between traditional workplace structures and the real needs of working parents.

   At DP World, we believe that when employees feel genuinely supported in their personal lives, they emerge stronger, more engaged, resilient, and highly motivated. This conviction shaped our commitment to building a culture where parenthood is not viewed as a challenge to overcome, but as a life stage that deserves empathy, flexibility, and respect.

   Our approach went beyond introducing policies—it was about transforming mindsets and driving a cultural shift rooted in empathy, flexibility, and genuine support for working parents. This movement was driven by a vision to create a workplace where parents are not forced to choose between advancing their careers and being present for their families.



3. Please share ONE unique parent-friendly workplace initiative that your organisation is particularly proud of and has made the biggest impact on your employees.
   
   

   At DP World, one of the most transformative and impactful parent-friendly initiatives has been the implementation of flexible working arrangements, designed to support employees in managing both work and family life effectively.

   Employees are offered the option to work remotely, a measure that has greatly supported parents in handling childcare, school routines, and other caregiving responsibilities without compromising on performance. Additionally, staggered working hours allow parents to enter and leave work at times that better align with their family needs.

   We've also adopted a 4.5-day workweek, with Friday afternoons off, that gives working parents extra time to spend with their children and prepare for the weekend—improving both work-life balance and employee morale.

   What makes this initiative truly meaningful is the informal flexibility culture we've built around it. Managers are empowered to accommodate personal situations, whether it's attending a school event, responding to family emergencies, or adjusting work hours during exam periods.

   This approach has reinforced DP World’s commitment to empathy, inclusion, and trust, creating a workplace where parents feel seen, supported, and empowered. It’s a testament to how flexible policies, when embedded in culture, can create a lasting impact.



4. In your opinion, what are the key benefits organizations can achieve by shifting to parent-friendly workplaces and culture? makes parent-friendly workplaces the wave of the future?
   
   

   At DP World, we know that our people are more than their job titles—they are parents, caregivers, and role models. Creating a parent-friendly workplace is part of our commitment to supporting every individual not only in their career, but in their life beyond work.

   Parenthood brings its own real-life challenges, and we aim to ease that journey through practical support and understanding. Whether it’s flexible working arrangements, remote work options, school term support, or educational sessions tailored for parents, we strive to create an environment where parenthood and professional growth can go hand in hand.

   We’ve seen that when parents feel supported, they are more engaged, motivated, and present in their work. A culture that respects and accommodates family life leads to greater employee well-being, stronger retention, and a more inclusive and human-centered organisation.

   At DP World, supporting working parents is not just a benefit—it’s a reflection of our values. We believe that by investing in the people behind every role, we build a more resilient, committed, and future-ready workforce.

   As the world of work continues to evolve, we remain focused on building a culture where both careers and families can thrive.



5. Please share real story(s) (anonymous if you prefer) where your employees have benefited from this support, then in their everyday lives?
   
   

   The comments below were provided by our employees during a parent-friendly survey:

   • “DP World is hugely supportive of me as a mother. Not only do they provide facilities for nursing / pumping for new moms but they are also supportive of the need for work life balance. They are understanding of circumstances that require us to need to leave early or be at home though remote working as well. Of course, they are number one in any company I know with regards to maternity leave” – Anonymous
   
   
   • “Yes, DP World is a great company. I started my journey here as a lasher, with no resources or support—only the help of Allah and then the opportunity provided by DP World. Through consistent performance, the company gave me the chance to grow: first with ITV, then ECH, followed by RS, Heavy Forklift, RTG, and now RMG. Alhamdulillah, I am grateful. I make dua every day for the continued growth and success of our company. May DP World always remain number one in the world. Ameen”. – Anonymous
   
   
   • “As a parent, the work timing of DP World is something that works the best for me. I can spend time with my son by the time he is back from school!” – Anonymous
   
   
   • “As a parent at DP World, I value the flexible working hours and supportive family leave policies. The company’s initiatives, such as access to parental support programmes and resources significantly ease the balance between professional and family responsibilities. These measures reflect DP World’s commitment to fostering a supportive work environment.” – Anonymous
   
   
   • “Great experience and supportive work environment. Working remotely and supporting the kids during their illness is a great add on value. Otherwise, much of my annual leave would be used up taking care of them when they are sick or for school-related tasks.” – Anonymous


6. Could you describe a moment where insights from collected data (such as employee surveys, system generated) played a key role in achieving a positive result or overcoming a challenge being faced by your employees?
   
   

   At DP World, employee insights are more than metrics—they’re catalysts for meaningful change. A standout moment came when the internal survey data highlighted how much working parents valued flexibility, especially around caregiving and key family milestones.

   In response, we introduced several parent-friendly initiatives. A pilot for remote working was launched, including a special option to work from home on a child’s first day of school. We increased nursing hours from one to two hours daily for 12 months after delivery and extended paternity leave. A formal 3-day emergency leave was introduced to help manage unexpected caregiving needs.

   We also partnered with nurseries to offer discounted services and introduced dedicated women’s lounge areas at select locations, directly addressing concerns raised by our employees.

   These actions were direct outcomes of the insights shared by parents in our workforce—and they made a tangible difference. Employees expressed deep appreciation for being able to support their families without compromising on professional growth.

   This experience reaffirmed the power of listening. By turning feedback into action, DP World continues to build a culture where working parents feel understood, supported, and empowered at every step of the way.

DP World has long been recognised for its progressive people practices and competitive employee benefits. In its ongoing pursuit of excellence, the organisation took a deliberate and compassionate step toward reinforcing its commitment to working parents by evolving its policies and culture to align with the highest standards of support, flexibility, and inclusivity.

To earn the Parent-Friendly Label, DP World implemented a series of impactful enhancements designed to meet the real-life needs of employees navigating parenthood:

• Enhanced Nursing Support: Nursing hours were extended to 2 hours per day for 12 months, offering new mothers vital time and space to balance their transition back to work with their caregiving responsibilities.


• Expanded Paternity Leave: The organisation increased paternity leave from 5 to 6 working days, reinforcing the importance of active fatherhood and shared parenting from the very start.


• Formalised Emergency Leave: A new 3-day emergency leave policy was introduced, allowing employees to manage urgent caregiving or family situations without added stress.


• Antenatal Awareness Initiatives: DP World launched awareness sessions focusing on prenatal health, providing expecting parents with tools, resources, and community support during a critical life stage.


• Job Security During Parental Leave: In a strong gesture of trust and protection, the company formalised the non-termination of employees during parental leave, reinforcing its belief that no one should fear career insecurity while caring for their family.


• Dedicated PRO Services: Through a partnership with the Amer Center, dedicated PRO support for expatriates was made available to employees, particularly beneficial for expatriate families managing legal and documentation needs.


• Transparent Communication: A dedicated email channel was introduced to ensure consistent, transparent communication around evolving family-friendly policies and initiatives.

These newly implemented practices build on a robust foundation of existing support that has long defined DP World’s inclusive culture:

• Flexible work arrangements—including remote work, staggered hours, and planned lateness—are standard offerings that allow parents to participate in school activities, manage caregiving responsibilities, or attend medical appointments.


• Comprehensive parental leave benefits, combined with childcare support and educational assistance, reflect DP World’s commitment to supporting employees throughout their parenting journey.


• An empathetic leadership culture, where managers and teams actively encourage work-life balance, ensures that policies are not just available but lived and supported across the organisation.

Real stories from employees highlight the tangible impact of these policies. From a father who was able to accompany his child on their first day of school, to working parents managing dual careers within the company, employees consistently speak to the empowerment, flexibility, and support they receive at every stage of their parenting journey.

At DP World, being parent-friendly is not just a label—it’s a promise. A promise to nurture not just careers, but lives.