If you have ever run out of gas in the UAE, with no immediate access to a petrol station, you must have heard about CAFU fuel delivery services.
Founded back in 2018, by Rashid Ghurair, CAFU is now the world’s leading vehicle service platform offering convenient on-demand services in the UAE, ranging from car wash to battery charging and tire replacement.
The company’s innovative approach extends beyond its products and offerings, revolutionizing both HR and employee benefit strategies.
In 2024, LinkedIn ranked the fuel-booking app as one of the best startups to work in the UAE, thanks to the unique perks and incentives it provides to employees – starting with an unconventional and highly flexible leave package.
CAFU’s leave package includes caregiver leave, compassionate leave, study leave, marriage leave, and moving house leave. Employees can also take 5 days off for volunteering and benevolent activities, a day off for birthdays or religious holidays, as well as self-care days to rest and recharge – allowing team members to better prioritize their physical and mental health and spend more time with friends and family.
In addition to flexible working hours and the usual bonus programs, the Tech-enabled startup has also introduced “CAFU to the Moon”, a unique and innovative equity plan, designed to reduce turnover, retain employees, and attract new talent.
Unlike traditional equity plans, CAFU to the Moon’s share allocation is not tied to individual performance but rather to company-wide valuation. With no caps or restrictions on value appreciation, and a vesting period of 3 years, the company’s goal is to foster employee loyalty and commitment to achieving continuous growth and long-term success.
CAFU’s efforts to reshape corporate benefits in the UAE don’t stop there – it has recently launched a new work-from-anywhere policy allowing all employees to work for up to 30 days per year, from anywhere in the world. According to the startup, this new initiative aims to “empower their team with the flexibility and freedom to work from wherever they are most inspired”.
By implementing progressive, wellbeing-focused internal policies and cultivating a culture of transparency, dialogue, and appreciation, CAFU recognizes that employees are the greatest asset for a company – they are the key to achieving excellence and delivering exceptional value to customers.
CAFU’s remarkable achievements in 2024 certainly attest to their people policies’ success – last year, the fuel-delivery app was awarded as the “Mobile Service Provider of the Year” at Automechanika Dubai. They have also announced their expansion into the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and are planning to introduce on-demand EV charging in 2025.