UAE and Saudi Workplace Culture Report Reveals Pride and Persistent Gaps

Together has published the first comprehensive study of workplace culture in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The '2024 Workplace Culture Report' examines employee experiences across industries and company sizes in both countries. It aims to guide organisations in improving their workplace cultures for long-term success. The report reveals that 84% of employees in the UAE and Saudi Arabia feel proud of their work and companies. This pride often stems from experiences like achievement, which 33% report, and customer satisfaction, noted by 25%. Additionally, 59% of workers express high or very high confidence in their employer’s market position.

However, challenges remain. A significant 67% of employees believe performance evaluations are unfair. Meanwhile, 40% feel their leadership does not care about them. Among middle managers, 30% cite a lack of control as a major negative experience, with gaps in coaching, mentoring, and employee fulfilment also highlighted.

Employee motivations vary. Accountability, achievement, and commitment rank as the top personal drivers, at 28%, 26%, and 25% respectively. Looking ahead, one in four workers prioritise work-life balance in their ideal workplace culture. Recognition is another key desire, with one in three employees wanting it, yet none currently list it among their top 20 workplace experiences. The report provides a detailed snapshot of workplace culture in the region. It highlights both strengths, such as employee pride and confidence, and areas needing improvement, like fairness in evaluations and leadership engagement. Organisations can use these insights to shape better work environments.