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Headcounts to rise next year in the UAE: Some 63% of UAE business leaders expect an increase in employee headcount to accommodate growth plans over the upcoming 12 months, according to a study conducted by human resources consulting firm Robert Half.
A slow year for hiring will make way for a busy one: A third of surveyed business leaders said that they were waiting until international elections were finished to obtain a clear global outlook, after many employers paused hiring in 2024. Around 32% of the leaders also said that they are waiting for interest rates to stabilize or decline before finalizing hiring decisions. Meanwhile, 67% of employers are confident regarding their company’s growth next year, which is likely to convert into increased hiring activity.
The rise in available talent due to expat inflow still comes with challenges for employers, as 47% of business leaders believe that despite having access to more workers, it isn’t easy to find suitable candidates with the desired skills. Around 19% of them also confirm that it is challenging to find candidates with previous UAE experience.
Salary raises are expected to be moderate to low over the year, Middle East Director of Robert Half Gareth El Mettouri told Khaleej Times. The legal and technology sectors are projected to take the lead in UAE salary increases next year due to the high demand for legal talent and increased technology adoption, with pay hikes expected to come in the low single digits. He also expects lower salary increases in finance, accounting, and human resources due to the availability of local talent.
REMEMBER- The UAE led the GCC in terms of growth of new jobs in 3Q 2024, with an 8% q-o-q increase in vacancies. The hiring patterns were driven by sizable investments in technology, media, telecommunications, and space commercialization, attracting swathes of international talent, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Employee sentiment is shaky: UAE employees are planning moves despite a highly competitive market. This competitiveness led 52% of UAE employees to feel easily replaceable, and 65% of them intend to stay in their role due to necessity rather than preference. However, two thirds of employees are planning to look for new jobs next year.
New role selection for UAE employees is mainly driven by income and development opportunities, with 44% of them suggesting that salary is their top priority. The financials are followed by access to training at 37%, progress opportunities at 34%, and benefits at 34%.
Job satisfaction remains a challenge for employers, as there is a sizable gap in their observations compared to the employee’s experiences. Businesses are reporting a 69% rise in worker satisfaction over the past 12 months, while only 49% of employees suggest the same.
