59% of UAE Professionals Struggling with Work-Life Balance, Survey Reveals

Shahba Mayyeri -

A recent survey has found that UAE professionals work an average of seven extra unpaid hours per week, amounting to 3.5 days of additional work per month, raising concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being.

The study, conducted by insights agency Perspectus, revealed that 76% of employees feel their work-life balance has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 59% struggling to disconnect from work after hours. Alarmingly, 90% of employees reported regularly responding to work emails and calls outside official working hours, adding to their stress and workload.

Jon Horsley, Senior Research Consultant at Perspectus, highlighted that professionals in the Middle East are working harder than ever but are beginning to question if the effort is worth it.

"Employers may need to rethink some of their practices if they want to retain happy and motivated staff,"

he said. Younger employees are particularly resistant to unpaid overtime, with 50% stating they would consider quitting if they could not achieve a better work-life balance.

Findings from the 2025 Employees Sentiment Study by Aon indicate that work-life balance programs rank among the top three benefits valued by UAE employees. Despite 80% working remotely for at least one or two days per week, 60% find it harder to disconnect from work.

Additional insights from the survey show that:

  • 55% of employees feel that working beyond official hours is an unspoken expectation.
  • 43% worry that if they don’t put in extra time, someone else will.
  • One-third of respondents said their boss directly told them to work harder.
  • While 34% of employees feel loyal to their company, they don’t believe their employer reciprocates that loyalty.

Interestingly, nearly half of UAE employees said they would accept a pay cut in exchange for a shorter working week. The four-day workweek is particularly popular among younger professionals, with 66% expressing a preference for it.

With the UAE being one of the world's most attractive job markets due to zero income tax, security, high-quality education, and overall lifestyle, local firms must rethink retention strategies to ensure a sustainable work environment.

Psychologists suggest that reducing work hours could significantly improve employees' mental and physical well-being, reinforcing the need for companies to strike a better balance between productivity and employee health.

News Source: Khaleej Times