UAE workers third most engaged, satisfied globally

Employees in the UAE are the third most highly engaged and satisfied in the world, according to a new study.

In survey of 12,480 workers globally, including 701 in the UAE, office furniture company Steelcase found that the emirates (20 per cent) ranked behind only India (28 per cent) and Mexico (22 per cent) for employee engagement and satisfaction.

This compares to a global average of 13 per cent.

The country was also below average for workers feeling high disengaged and dissatisfied at 5 per cent, compared to a global average of 11 per cent.

“UAE workers’ engagement and workplace satisfaction levels are significantly above global averages. The number of highly disengaged employees is also lower than the global average—a distinct difference from its neighbour, Saudi Arabia, where the workforce is much more polarised,” the company said.

Employees rated their quality of life at work at 6.7 out of 10, slightly above the global average of 6.6.

In addition, 59 per cent said their company recognised and valued its employees and 58 per cent said it encouraged them to use their initiative, compared to 56 per cent and 58 per cent globally.

Just under 78 per cent of UAE workers felt a connection with colleagues, 73 per cent said they were happy to go to work and 73 per cent said they were proud to work for their company, compared to global averages of 76, 71 and 69 per cent respectively.

The UAE lagged behind for socialising with colleagues (72 per cent), feeling relaxed (48 per cent), sharing projects and achievements (55 per cent) and workers’ sense of personal achievement (64 per cent) compared to rates of 75 per cent, 59 per cent, 61 per cent and 67 per cent globally.

“Many UAE workers give their company high scores for its strategy and direction, feeling a connection with colleagues and being happy to go to work. At the same time, they are less enthusiastic about their jobs giving them a sense of personal satisfaction, which might indicate a need for their employers to think about ways to make work more,” Steelcase said.

“Overall, employees report they like their workplaces and describe them as ‘nice looking’. Yet many UAE employees say their workplaces don’t allow workers to share projects and achievements, have access to real-time information about the company, or feel relaxed and calm at work.”