UAE professionals work an extra seven unpaid hours weekly, survey reveals

UAE Professionals Face Rising Unpaid Overtime, Survey Finds

Work-Life Balance Concerns Grow as Employees Struggle to Disconnect

Professionals in the UAE put in an average of seven additional unpaid hours per week, or almost 3.5 days of overtime per month, according to a new poll conducted by insights firm Perspectus. This growing trend has made it harder for workers to leave work, even after working hours, with 59% of workers finding it difficult to fully disconnect from work, the survey found, and 76% of workers believe their work-life balance has worsened since the pandemic. 90% of respondents admitted to taking business calls and emails after working hours, which is worrying, adding to their ongoing fatigue and stress.

Younger professionals are leading the fight against unpaid overtime, with half of them saying they would consider quitting their jobs if their work-life balance did not improve.

Expectations for unpaid overtime

While the desire for flexible working arrangements is growing, 43% of UAE professionals fear job insecurity if they do not comply with the basic expectation of working long hours. Stress at work is further compounded by the fact that a third of workers say they have received direct pressure from their managers to work harder.

60% of professionals feel that working remotely has made it more difficult to distinguish between work and personal time, despite the fact that 80% of professionals work from home at least once a week.

Growing Demand for Shorter Workweeks

With mounting stress levels, nearly half of UAE employees say they would accept a pay cut in exchange for a shorter workweek. A four-day workweek is preferred by younger employees in particular in order to improve balance and prevent burnout.

Increasing Call for Reduced Workweeks

Nearly half of UAE workers said they would take a wage loss in return for a reduced workweek due to rising stress levels. Younger workers, in particular, favor a four-day work schedule because it promotes balance and helps them avoid burnout.

Experts warn that as competition in the UAE job market increases, companies may need to reevaluate workplace policies to retain talent and increase efficiency. Reducing working hours may enhance employee motivation, well-being, and output, according to psychologists, thus it should be taken into account when planning the workforce in the future.