Report finds UAE workers spending extra hours in office to ‘keep up’

41% of professionals surveyed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) either start early or stay later than work hours almost every day, according to a recent report by Robert Walters.

The report also found that 13% of respondents strictly adhere to core work hours, while 45% revealed that their office timings depend on the workload for the day. Standard working hours across Middle East offices are from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, with an hour-long lunch break. This makes the average working week 37.5 hours.

Additional insights from the report revealed that:

The report also cites Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, which highlights the rising trend of the "infinite workday." According to the Index:

The report further pointed out that many Middle East employers maintain a frugal approach to headcounts, causing workloads to snowball. Among surveyed employers:

As a result, nearly 60% of employees across surveyed organizations feel their workloads are heavy and demanding.

Jason Grundy, Managing Director of Robert Walters Middle East, said, “Despite rising costs affecting hiring plans, many employers still expect the same productivity and output, putting pressure on existing staff. Our research indicates that many Middle East workers are working longer hours to meet demands or connect with colleagues in different time zones.”

Sharing a few suggestions to tackle talent shortages and other gaps, Grundy said:

#1 To avoid professionals feeling pressured to clock in at all hours, employers should:

#2 On shifting talent strategies:

#3 On workplace culture and productivity:

#4 Employers must reset expectations on working hours from the top by: