The Emirates Group’s annual report for 2025-2026 highlights its commitment to equitable compensation frameworks designed to ensure fairness and objectivity in pay. The report stipulates that salaries are determined by job requirements, skills, and experience, rather than gender.
Gender Pay Disparities in Various Roles
In non-operational roles, the report indicates that the wage gap between women and men remains minimal. Interestingly, in entry-level and mid-level positions, which constitute the bulk of the workforce, women reportedly earn salaries averaging up to 3% higher than their male counterparts. However, a noticeable disparity surfaces in leadership roles, where women in senior positions tend to earn between 4% and 7% less than men in comparable roles. The group attributes these differences to factors such as tenure, years of experience, and career paths, rather than any instances of gender discrimination.
Standardized Compensation Practices
In operational positions, the Emirates Group applies standardized pay and benefits schedules, linking promotions to experience and qualifications to ensure consistency and eliminate gender bias. The compensation framework is meticulously designed to guarantee fairness, determining pay based on role requirements, levels of responsibility, skills, and experience.
Supporting Working Mothers
To foster women’s participation in the workforce, the Emirates Group has introduced several initiatives, including an increase in nursing hours available to new mothers as they transition back to work. Additionally, the Gender Balance Council within the group plays a pivotal role in facilitating discussions around professional development and growth opportunities.
Emphasising Diversity and Inclusion
With a global workforce of 130,919 employees across 85 countries representing over 180 nationalities, diversity stands as a core strength of the Emirates Group. This diversity generates a broad spectrum of perspectives, experiences, and cultures, enhancing the cohesion with which they operate. The Group is steadfast in its commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment where equal opportunities empower all individuals to thrive. Their governance, strategic management, risk management, and performance measurement approaches continually advance progress towards a more equitable future for all employees.
Clear Framework for Equal Opportunities
The Emirates Group’s commitment to equal opportunities adheres to a well-defined, multi-layered framework with strategic oversight. This is reinforced by regular leadership forums, set agenda items, and formal review cycles, supported by employee dashboards and key performance indicators to track progress and ensure accountability.
Professional Development Initiatives
The report also mentions significant participation in professional development initiatives, with over 28,500 employees engaging in interactive learning programs, both virtually and in-person. From classroom-based training at the group’s training college to operational support for new station openings and ground handling transitions at airports, the Emirates Group is dedicated to offering high-quality, future-oriented development opportunities.
Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment
The Emirates Group is pioneering a new phase of technological transformation supported by artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment and onboarding processes. Launched with the introduction of “Masaar,” their new recruitment and training platform, the group stands as the first institution in the Middle East to leverage AI capabilities on such a large scale. As new generations enter the job market, investing in professional and personal development remains crucial for attracting, nurturing, and retaining talent.
Building an Inclusive Work Environment
The Emirates Group has established that building a more inclusive work environment is a cornerstone of its long-term strategy, as a diverse workforce enhances decision-making processes and strengthens its ability to serve a global travel base. With the UAE declaring 2026 as the “Year of the Family,” the Emirates Group embraces shared values, collective responsibility, and a strong sense of belonging.
The group’s approach to employee journeys encompasses thoughtful and comprehensive methods at every stage. They strive to cultivate a work environment that celebrates diverse thinking, backgrounds, and experiences, while ensuring opportunities for all. This intentional nurturing of talent contributes to a workplace where every individual feels respected, valued, and proud, reflecting the group’s vision of becoming the best workplace in the aviation sector.