Giving something back

The CIPD’s purpose is to ‘champion better work and working lives’, and the tie-up aims to promote better work-life integration. “We hope this partnership will encourage our members to go out and enjoy themselves more, perhaps join a gym to keep fit, spend more quality time with friends and family or just enjoy a meal with colleagues,” says Matthew Mee, managing director of the CIPD Middle East.

The CIPD, together with The Entertainer, will provide VIP access to a selection of gyms, spas, restaurants, hotels and more to members across the GCC. A discount code will also be available to more than 14,000 HR professionals in the wider CIPD network; subscribe and find out more at www.cipd.org/ae.

“The Entertainer immediately came to mind as a partner that can provide tangible benefits to CIPD members right across the region,” says Mee. “And what’s also great is seeing how committed it is as an organisation to employee health and wellbeing and supporting the Year of Giving.” The Dubai headquartered firm is a well-known publisher of buy one, get one free offers for restaurants, leisure attractions and hotels across the Middle East. But The Entertainer also has a history of looking after its local communities, having previously taken part in charity initiatives such as ‘Cricket for a Cause’, where its cricket team competed to raise money for Dubai Cares.

According to Chantal Endemann, the company’s head of HR: “CSR gives us all a chance, both the employees and The Entertainer, to contribute towards the society and world we live in. We all live for ourselves – this is human nature – but doing something for those in need is a different feeling altogether.” The Entertainer’s dedication to CSR has been driven by its founder and chairman, Donna Benton (below), who has promoted the importance of health and fitness and made it part of the business’s culture. “We encourage a healthy lifestyle and foster a positive, social environment in and out of the workplace. This culture is the foundation of our innovation and success,” says Endemann.

The CIPD will also be participating in different initiatives to give back during Ramadan, and will extend the opportunity to help and support others to its 3,000 members in the Middle East.