The Employee Happiness Awards UAE 2025, organised by Eventyst Global, took place recently at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, Dubai. In its third edition, the awards continued to celebrate organisations that placed employee well-being, engagement, and inclusion at the heart of their culture.

The initiative was led by Jatin Deepchandani, Founder and CEO of Plan3Media, Crestus Media, and Eventyst Global, who had been instrumental in shaping the platform into a powerful movement for workplace excellence. This year’s edition received a record-breaking 380+ submissions across 26 categories, reflecting the growing commitment of UAE-based organisations to foster exceptional employee experiences.

Among the winners were some of the UAE’s most respected names, including Deloitte & Touche, Etihad Airways, DHL Global Forwarding, Bacardi and EmiratesNBD, among others.

Spotlight on Workplace Well-being

Al Tannan won Gold for its work in the Most Supportive Return to Work Program and Bronze Award for Best Company to Work For. “This is an incredible honour and a proud milestone for all of us at Al Tannan Group. These recognitions are a testament to the values we hold close; empathy, resilience, and the belief that when we support our people, we empower them to succeed,” said Hassan Tamimi, CEO, Al Tannan.

Virgin Mobile took home Silver for its work in Best Workspace Design. “What makes this recognition truly special is that it belongs to our team – every inch of our new office was imagined, designed, and brought to life by the people who live and breathe the Virgin Mobile brand every day. And the result? A workspace made by the team, for the team, and a daily reminder of what we can achieve when we come together,” commented Rob Beswick, Managing Director, Virgin Mobiles.

In the category of Best Workspace Design, ORO24 Developments earned Gold. Atif Rahman, Founder & Chairman, ORO24 Developments, said, “The award is a true reflection of our team’s vision, creativity, and collaboration and encourages our passion to keep designing for people first. Here’s to shaping the future of work.”

For its outstanding workplace culture, EDGE Group won Gold in the Best Company to Work For – Large. “This award shows our strong commitment to building a workplace where our people feel supported, valued, and motivated. The EHA 2025 event was a wonderful celebration of workplace excellence, and we’re honoured to be part of such a great platform. This achievement goes to every EDGE employee whose hard work and passion made this possible,” said Sana Al Daoumi, Group Senior Vice President Human Capital, EDGE Group.

For Best Retention Initiatives, it was Balmer Lawrie UAE LLC that won the award for Gold. “With a 48-year legacy in the UAE as a joint venture between the Govt of India and the Ruling Royal Family, Balmer Lawrie UAE LLC has always prioritized creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. Today, 45% of our workforce has been with us for over a decade — a reflection of the culture we’ve built together,” said Francis Jerome- VP (HR), Balmer Lawrie.

Honoured with Silver, Ricci Di Napoli stood out for fostering change led by its workforce. “This is a proud moment for us. It shows our commitment to building a workplace where innovation, employee well-being, and strong performance grow together. This recognition is a result of our team’s dedication, which continues to shape our company and raise standards across the region,” said Kamal Al Najjar, CEO, Ricci Di Napoli.

Recognised for driving change from within, Emirates Islamic took home the Gold for Best Employee Driven Business Change. “For us at EI, creating a positive and supportive environment isn’t just part of the job; it’s something we genuinely care about. We empower our employees to reach their full potential, we support our women at the workplace and value diversity. We always look at ways to transform our processes,” said Farida AlAwadhi, CHRO, Emirates Islamic.

Expanding to Global Stage

Reflecting on this year’s landmark celebration of workplace excellence, Jatin Deepchandani, Founder and CEO of Plan3Media, Crestus Media, and Eventyst Global, said, “This year, we weren’t looking for fancy perks or buzzwords. We were looking for purpose. For companies that have moved beyond casual Fridays and Sports Day posters — and are actually building workplaces where culture is intentional, and leadership is real. And that’s exactly what many of this year’s winners showed us.”

The next editions of the Employee Happiness Awards will be held in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Malaysia, using the same format: an independent jury, evidence-based evaluation, and a focus on work that holds up under scrutiny.

For details, visit ksa.employeehappiness.org and sgmy.employeehappiness.org