Professionals in the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf expect promotions and raises this year but are working 50-hour-plus weeks
Employees in the United Arab Emirates and the Persian Gulf are confident they can do their boss's job and that they'll get a raise this year, according to a new survey. However, finding work-life balance remains elusive for many.
The survey conducted by UAE-based recruitment and career planning company Bayt.com, polled 1,641 professionals, the majority of whom work in the UAE and the Gulf, about labour market conditions.
Seventy-one per cent of respondents said they can successfully take over their boss's job, while nearly three-quarters of respondents expect a promotion this year and 81 per cent expect a raise.
"The general consensus is that companies are improving packages and that salaries are becoming more consistent to catch up with the regional economic boom, which is especially strong in real estate, tourism, hospitality and retail," said Mona Ataya, vice-president of marketing at Bayt.com.
Overall, respondents were optimistic about the fast growing market, but office demands and rising living costs are taking their toll. More than 60 per cent of respondents said they work more than 50 hours a week and 72 per cent regularly take work calls and e-mails on weekends.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of respondents said they're struggling to save money every month, mostly due to the rising cost of living. Nearly 90 per cent of respondents said they're considering a job change to take advantage of better pay and conditions and 52 per cent are looking to move as soon as possible.
While the Gulf is still an attractive place to live and do business, offering salaries and living standards that exceed many western countries, more than 60 per cent of respondents said they would return home if they could find a job with similar pay. And the region is rife with discrimination, with 74 per cent of respondents reporting they face discrimination based on nationality.
The survey conducted by UAE-based recruitment and career planning company Bayt.com, polled 1,641 professionals, the majority of whom work in the UAE and the Gulf, about labour market conditions.
Seventy-one per cent of respondents said they can successfully take over their boss's job, while nearly three-quarters of respondents expect a promotion this year and 81 per cent expect a raise.
"The general consensus is that companies are improving packages and that salaries are becoming more consistent to catch up with the regional economic boom, which is especially strong in real estate, tourism, hospitality and retail," said Mona Ataya, vice-president of marketing at Bayt.com.
Overall, respondents were optimistic about the fast growing market, but office demands and rising living costs are taking their toll. More than 60 per cent of respondents said they work more than 50 hours a week and 72 per cent regularly take work calls and e-mails on weekends.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of respondents said they're struggling to save money every month, mostly due to the rising cost of living. Nearly 90 per cent of respondents said they're considering a job change to take advantage of better pay and conditions and 52 per cent are looking to move as soon as possible.
While the Gulf is still an attractive place to live and do business, offering salaries and living standards that exceed many western countries, more than 60 per cent of respondents said they would return home if they could find a job with similar pay. And the region is rife with discrimination, with 74 per cent of respondents reporting they face discrimination based on nationality.
