UAE employees work 7 unpaid overtime hours per week on average
A new survey revealed that UAE professionals work an average of seven additional hours weekly, equivalent to 3.5 days a month of unpaid overtime, which is disrupting their work-life balance.
Published by research agency Perspectus, the survey states that most employees in the UAE consider themselves overburdened and overstressed in the post-Covid-19 scenario as 76 per-cent of respondents said their work-life balance has become worse since the pandemic alone.
About 6 in 10 — 59 percent — of UAE employees in the study said they struggle to disconnect. And alarmingly, 90 percent of workers report that they still answer work emails and calls after hours, causing added pressure on employees.
While talent professionals in the Middle East are putting in longer hours than ever, our research finds that they are increasingly asking themselves if it really pays off. Senior research consultant at Perspectus Jon Horsley added: "It may be that employers are going to have to reconsider some of internal practices if they are to keep staff happy Contented staffigrate and vote with their feet."
Horsley added: "Younger people especially were much more likely to resist unpaid additional hours — around half said they could envision resigning if they weren't able to achieve a proper work / life balance."
Global professional services firm Aon found work-life balance programmes are within the top three employee benefits employees in the UAE value most in its 2025 Employees Sentiment Study.
With the inflow of more foreign workers into the country, the competitive advantage in the market is constantly pushing the professionals onto pressure. Zero income tax and safety and security are hallmarks of the UAE — one of the most highly attractive global markets for professionals and job-seekers — in addition to the world-class quality educational system and quality of life — all of which is helping local firms to not only attract, but arm local talent for that much longer.
Psychologists feel that reducing the number of work hours can directly benefit the health of employees.
The study found that only 26 per cent of UAE professionals feel they have a commendable work-life balance, among others, based on a survey of 2,000 respondents overall. Out of those who work from home one to two days a week, 80 per cent still say this has made it more difficult to switch off, and up to 60 per cent agree.
Over half – 55 percent – UAE employees are just expected to work longer than hours outlined during the working week and 43 percent said they felt that if they did not work extra time, someone else would. One third have said that their employer to just do a better job.
This meant that although 34 percent of the employees said they remained loyal to their company, they did not feel that the employer was loyal to them in return.
Less surprisingly, almost half (49 per cent) of UAE employees would take a pay cut for a shorter working week, especially the younger generation, as the younger professionals say the most options to 4-days working week (66%).
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