A family-oriented view on well-being amongst low-status expatriates in an international workplace
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-06-2021-0256 |
| Published date | 21 April 2022 |
| Date | 21 April 2022 |
| Pages | 1064-1076 |
| Subject Matter | HR & organizational behaviour,Industrial/labour relations,Employment law |
| Author | Washika Haak-Saheem,Xiaoyan Liang,Peter Jeffrey Holland,Chris Brewster |
A family-oriented view on
well-being amongst low-status
expatriates in an
international workplace
Washika Haak-Saheem
Henley Business School, University of Reading, Reading, UK
Xiaoyan Liang
International Business School of Suzhou, Suzhou, China
Peter Jeffrey Holland
Swinburne Business School, Swinburne University of Technology,
Melbourne, Australia, and
Chris Brewster
Henley Business School, University of Reading, Reading, UK
Abstract
Purpose –The pandemic emphasisedthe importance for society of the “hidden”workforce –cleaners, delivery
drivers, security guards or hospital porters. This paper explores the well-being of low-status expatriates in the
international workplace exemplified by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This is one of the first studies
examining the well-being of people at the bottom of the pyramid, living in difficult circumstances, and
undertaking work that is hard and sometimes dangerous.
Design/methodology/approach –The authors adopt an exploratory approach. Using semi-structured
interview data from 21 low-status expatriates, the authors examine their experiences in the UAE in relation to
their well-being, allowing the authors to suggest the need to develop our understanding of the concept of
well-being and the concept’s application.
Findings –Low-status expatriates live restrictive lives, away from their family and friends for extended
periods, and subject to rigid terms and conditions of employment. Difficult circumstances, long working hours,
late or arbitrarily reduced salary payment and a lack of voice affect their personal well-being and sacrificed to
consideration for their family well-being. Applying the concept of well-being in such cases requires the authors
to develop the notion beyond the individual to encompass the wider family.
Research limitations/implications –This exploratory analysis opens new avenues for well-being studies
and highlights the need for contextualised research. Future research might benefit from quantitative methods
being used alongside qualitative methods and collecting multiple perspective data, including the views of
managers and policy makers and data from the “left-behind”families of these low-status expatriates.
Practical implications –There is plenty of scope for managers of low-status expatriates to improve the
latter’s well-being. Given the lack of interest in doing so, the authors suggest that policy makers may need to
modify extant legalisation to ensure a greater focus on low-status expatriates.
Originality/value –The authors believe this to be the first study to examine the impact of family orientation
on the well-being of low-status expatriates, encouraging the authors to challengeand suggest developments to
current understandings of well-being.
Keywords Well-being, Low-status expatriates, International work, United Arab Emirates
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), migrant workers in the Arabian
Gulf states account for more than 10% of all migrants globally, with the UAE hosting the fifth
ER
44,5
1064
This paper forms part of a special section “Employee Experience and Well-Being in International
Workplaces”, guest edited by Wided Batat.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/0142-5455.htm
Received 15 June 2021
Revised 11 September 2021
10 November 2021
6 December 2021
25 January 2022
11 February 2022
Accepted 11 February 2022
Employee Relations: The
International Journal
Vol. 44 No. 5, 2022
pp. 1064-1076
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0142-5455
DOI 10.1108/ER-06-2021-0256
To continue reading
Request your trial