Drydocks World clinches win at Middle East Management Excellence Awards 2024

It won for its Health & Wellness initiatives to foster a safe work environment for its employees.

Drydocks World won the United Arab Emirates Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year - Marine and Offshore Engineering accolade at the Middle East Management Excellence Awards 2024. 

Workers in the marine industry are often exposed to long hours, harsh weather, and hazardous tasks that pose significant risks, including fatigue, stress, and accidents. In response, Drydocks World (DDW) has developed a comprehensive well-being strategy to maintain a healthy and safe work environment.

Through the visionary leadership of DDW’s CEO, Capt Rado Antolovic, PhD and a customer-centric approach, DDW remains a trusted partner and industry leader, shaping the future of maritime services worldwide. 

The Health & Wellness initiatives are planned and executed by HSE Division team members under the visionary leadership of Dr Saleh Albalushi. His wealth of experience, leadership acumen, and commitment to advancing safety and sustainability make him an invaluable asset to DDW’s commitment to operational excellence and safety stewardship. Our leadership team ensures that safety, client satisfaction, and environmental stewardship are prioritised throughout Drydocks World, driving the company's global expansion and success.

Health & Wellness Initiatives

DDW ensures the effective management of the health and safety of their employees and environmental protection is a top priority by implementing health & wellness initiatives for their physical, occupational, spiritual, and mental well-being.

DDW operates a 24/7 in-house medical centre approved by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Recognising employees and stakeholders as crucial resources, DDW adopts a proactive and holistic approach to patient management. Comprehensive pre-employment health surveillance is mandated for recruitment, including a baseline fitness assessment for all new and rehired employees. Regular physical fitness evaluations are conducted as necessary to ensure employees meet job-specific physical requirements.

Health surveillance programmes are also implemented to monitor the health and fitness of employees and interested parties, aiming to prevent adverse health effects from exposure to hazardous substances and ensure medical fitness before employment or reemployment. Special Diet Cards are issued to employees with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol.
In 2024, DDW launched the "Wellbees" Application to enhance employee well-being. Tailored specifically for DDW staff, the Wellbees app features five key options: Today, Social, Wellmarket, Improve, and Profile. Employees were invited to a mini 'Dietitian Session' with Wellbees experts during Ramadan, focussing on mindful eating and overall well-being. Additionally, DDW facilitated free psychological appointments through the Wellbees app and encouraged employees to read informative articles on mental health.

Drydocks Medical Centre emphasises the importance of occupational health in maintaining the well-being and safety of employees and stakeholders. They are dedicated to executing comprehensive health programmes, including regular screenings, risk assessments, and preventive interventions, to mitigate occupational health risks and uphold high standards across all DDW operations.

Ensuring the health and safety of employees during the summer months with rising temperatures and humidity, the company implemented a Heat Management Programme through initiatives such as cool room facilities, personal cooling devices, frequent temperature and humidity monitoring, and the provision of water and ORS at the site.

DDW promotes work-life balance through various initiatives, including Yoga classes. Understanding the impact of the maritime industry's stresses on mental health, DDW is committed to addressing mental health concerns. They aim to reduce stigma and foster open dialogue through employee counselling services and mental health awareness initiatives, creating a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable seeking assistance for their mental health needs.

Meaningful impact

DDW's Health & Wellness initiatives have significantly benefited both individuals and the business. These initiatives have led to improved physical and mental health amongst employees by promoting exercise, healthy eating, and stress management. They have also increased productivity, as reflected in annual performance evaluations, and reduced absenteeism and turnover by enhancing health and job satisfaction. 

Additionally, the initiatives have fostered a positive company culture and improved the employer brand, attracting new clients. Overall, these efforts have advanced DDW's health, productivity, and job satisfaction goals, aligning with the company’s HSE objectives.

Following the successful implementation of its health & wellness initiatives, DDW earned notable key achievements. In 2024, DDW achieved "Great Place to Work" recognition, with 91% of employees participating in a survey that highlighted the positive impact of DDW’s well-being initiatives.

In 2023, the DDW Medical Clinic’s patient satisfaction survey, involving over 6,000 employees, showed exceptional results, with 95% rating the clinic's services as “Excellent,” reflecting the success of its health and wellness programmes.

During the same year, DDW conducted 1,470 health surveillance and 3,792 pre-employment screenings, enabling early detection of occupational diseases and addressing workplace hazards, underscoring its commitment to employee health.

Additionally, DDW’s CSR efforts included blood donation campaigns from June 2023 to February 2024, collecting 471 blood bags and potentially saving 1,413 lives, demonstrating its commitment to social well-being.

The Middle East Management Excellence Awards is a prestigious awards programme cultivating and sustaining global institutional and leadership competitiveness across the region. It celebrates individuals, teams, and initiatives that have made substantial contributions to business success, employee well-being, and inclusivity across the region.

The Middle East Management Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's employee engagements and management initiatives, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].