I didn’t expect to face something like this in Dubai, which is why I’m posting here to get some perspective.
I’ve been working at a company for about a year now. The company started providing shared accommodation for staff, which would honestly be a huge improvement for me since I’m currently staying in a pretty crowded place. The accommodation is fully covered by the company, so it’s not a salary deduction or anything.
I had asked about getting a spot earlier and was told it was full. Even though I was not informed about such an initiative but the thing is a new employee got it, I let it slide then.
When I followed up again during the whole uae situation, because my current place got too crowded, and there was still a bed left unoccupied in the company space, I got mixed responses. The person who decides all this mentioned that the current occupants had collectively said they weren’t comfortable accommodating me. My team leader also suggested it might be due to “cultural differences” (possibly religious, as I’m the only Muslim), or just personal preferences among the group.
That didn’t sit right with me. I felt quite disrespected because accommodation is a company-provided benefit, and I don’t understand why existing occupants would have a say in excluding someone. I even felt like I was begging at one point
I also don’t have anything in writing, this was all verbal, which makes it harder to know how seriously I can take it or whether it’s worth escalating.
Has anyone experienced something like this? Is it worth raising this formally, or is it better to just move on and focus on finding another place/job?