Professionals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are overwhelmed by the pace of change at work and want more guidance on how to cope with this change, according to a new survey.
In the UAE, 68% of professionals feel overwhelmed by rapid changes in the workplace. For Saudi Arabian experts, this number drops only slightly to 66%.
In the UAE, 89 per cent of professionals seek assistance. In Saudi Arabia, that number is only slightly lower at 88%, according to the professional network LinkedIn.
Due to the pace of change, 55% of professionals in the UAE are concerned about being left behind, compared to 58% in Saudi Arabia.
major challenges
The three most important challenges facing UAE workers are proving they can integrate AI into daily work (35 per cent), managing multi-generational teams (34 per cent) and being successful in the office. and working (33 percent). In Saudi Arabia, the numbers differ slightly: 36%, 37%, and 30%, respectively.
“Globally, LinkedIn data shows a 123% increase in posts mentioning flexible working over the past two years (September 2022 to September 2024). “Return-to-office (RTO) mandates remain a top concern for professionals as companies move toward return-to-office (RTO) mandates,” the study said.
Experience alone is not enough
53 percent of UAE professionals (53 percent in Saudi Arabia) admit that experience alone won’t get them through, and 40 percent say continuous learning is important to progress (Saudi Arabia (39%). Meanwhile, 56% (61% in Saudi Arabia) say they need guidance on the skills needed to navigate changes in the workplace.
At the same time, only 35 percent of UAE professionals (vs. 34 percent in Saudi Arabia) feel they can rely on their boss to help them through periods of change at work. At the same time, 58% believe their company is struggling to adapt to any changes impacting their work (compared to 64% in Saudi Arabia), and that today’s workers are struggling to find their way forward It becomes clear that more support is needed.
“The pace of change in work in recent years, from flexible arrangements to the integration of AI, has been nothing short of relentless, leaving the majority of professionals feeling overwhelmed and anxious about being left behind. It’s no surprise that it’s important for employees to stay informed, improve their skills, and continuously learn. Taking these small but important steps will help them navigate this evolving environment. Build the confidence you need to succeed at MENA LinkedIn Careers To stay agile, look for opportunities to take charge of your career development, not just when you want to look for new opportunities. says expert Najat Abdalhadi.
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