Qatar foundation honours staff at long service awards

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development honoured its loyal staff members this evening at its 2013 Long Service Award ceremony, held at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Its Human Resources Directorate awarded certificates of appreciation to 228 long-serving employees, honouring them for their contributions to the organisation. This year, 173 staff members were recognised for five years of service, 40 for 10 years, and 15 individuals for 15 years of employment, a clear indication that effective employee engagement strategies have helped improve staff retention rates and job satisfaction at Qatar Foundation. In a speech addressed to the dedicated workforce, Rashid Al Naimi, Vice President of Administration, and Hassan Al Hammadi, Executive Director of the Human Resources Directorate at Qatar Foundation, stressed the significant role that every employee has played in the organisation’s outstanding growth. “Tonight is a celebration of the loyalty between the organisation and its members. It is also a time to reflect on one of Qatar Foundation’s most important qualities, that of gratitude, which is felt from both the institution and its employees. This has fostered faithfulness, motivation and creativity amongst our staff and faculty,” said Al Naimi. “All of you are fundamental to achieving Qatar Foundation’s vision and noble ambitions for the future.” Al Hammadi echoed these sentiments, stating, “Qatar Foundation’s employees are undoubtedly the institution’s most important asset and resource because they are reliable and trustworthy. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to those honoured this evening for their devotion and hard work, which is in part due to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, and her everlasting commitment to developing human capital.” Placing an emphasis on retaining quality employees is a hallmark of the world’s most progressive employers, and pays tangible dividends. According to Professor Dave Ulrich from the University of Michigan, “They are more productive, have more energy, and are more satisfied at work. Increased commitment is not just showing up or being engaged at work, but finding true meaning from the work that they do.” Prof Ulrich is a partner at the RBL Group, a consultancy firm focused on helping organisations deliver value, and has published dozens of books and articles relating to employment practices. He continued, “In our summary of this literature in the book The Why of Work, we found seven factors that increase meaning at work: identity, purpose, relationships, work itself, work environment, learning and delight.” It is clear that many of Qatar Foundation’s employees are indeed delighted to be part of an organisation whose mission is to unlock human potential.