Job Seekers in the UAE Prioritize Benefits Package Alongside Salary When Considering New Roles

Aside from salary, a company’s benefits package is the top factor that attracts employees to a new job role in the UAE and the wider region. Over 60 percent of respondents to a pan-Gulf study said a generous benefits package is the most important aspect of an organization for them.

Hays’ GCC Salary Guide for 2024 found that the three benefits that professionals value the most are air ticket/travel allowances (43 percent), child education allowances (38 percent), and flexible working (34 percent).

However, while only 5 percent of employers claim not to offer benefits, a significant 41 percent of professionals state that they do not receive any.

“This underscores a gap in employer-professional perceptions of the benefits offered versus what they receive, possibly stemming from a lack of clarity or transparency in the communication process,”

Oliver Kowalski, managing director at Hays Middle East said.

About 75 percent of employers agree that the benefits package is the most important factor to help them attract and retain staff. The top three benefits employers offer are air ticket/travel allowances (59 percent), life insurance (42 percent), and flexible working (35 percent). Some employees in the GCC offer hybrid/remote working options (27 percent) to their employees and additional vacation days (23 percent).

Flexible working

Changing work habits are among the megatrends shaping the job market in the Gulf region.

“In a post-pandemic world, working habits and expectations have changed. Professionals generally want more flexibility in how they work in terms of time and place. This desire for increased flexibility is a common trend across various professions, reflecting a broader evolution in working habits. (About) 34 percent of professionals say flexible working is one of their most valued benefits and 31 percent report the same about hybrid and remote working options,”

said Kowalski.

Are there jobs out there?

The outlook for hiring in 2024 is optimistic as 67 percent of employers in the Gulf say they expect to add to their organization’s headcount. “There is no variance between the Gulf’s two largest economies, with 69 percent of organizations in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE planning to expand their workforce this year,” the salary guide states.

“Even organizations not planning to increase their overall staff numbers will still need to hire due to various reasons such as turnover, skill gaps, or project-based work. For job-seekers, it suggests a buoyant hiring environment across different types of employment arrangements, providing opportunities for permanent roles, temporary positions, contract work, and freelance,”

said Kowalski.

More candidates are applying for jobs than in the past, according to 41 percent of employers. However, 41 percent highlight a shortage of skilled professionals. This suggests that while there’s a higher overall demand for employment opportunities and a greater supply of candidates, there are challenges in finding qualified professionals, according to Hays.

“To address recruitment challenges, 47 percent say they are upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce, 37 percent say they are strengthening their employer brand, and 33 percent say they are increasing their international recruitment,”

said Kowalski.

News Source: Khaleej Times