Professionals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are overwhelmed by how quickly work is changing, and are seeking more guidance on how to navigate this change, a new research says.
In the UAE, 68 percent of professionals feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of workplace change. The number dips only marginally to 66 percent for professionals in Saudi Arabia.
In the UAE, as many as 89 percent professionals are seeking support. In Saudi Arabia, the number dips only marginally to 88 percent, professional network LinkedIn said.
This pace of change has left 55 percent professionals in the UAE worried about being left behind, compared to 58 percent in Saudi Arabia.
Key challenges
The three most significant challenges facing workers in the UAE are proving they can integrate AI into daily work (35 percent), managing multi-generational teams (34 percent) and working from the office successfully (33 percent). The numbers vary only marginally in Saudi Arabia at 36 percent, 37 percent and 30 percent, respectively.
“Globally, LinkedIn data shows a 123 percent increase in posts mentioning flexible work over the last two years (September 2022 to September 2024), a topic that continues to be top of mind for professionals as more companies evolve their return to office (RTO) mandates,” the research said.
Experience alone isn’t enough
As 53 percent UAE professionals (53 percent in Saudi Arabia) acknowledge that experience alone won’t carry them through, 40 percent say continuous learning is critical in getting ahead (39 percent in Saudi Arabia). Meanwhile, 56 percent (61 percent in Saudi Arabia) say they need guidance on the skills needed to navigate workplace change.
At the same time, only 35 percent UAE professionals (34 percent in Saudi Arabia) feel they can rely on their manager to help navigate periods of change in their job. At the same time, 58 percent think their company is struggling to adapt (64 percent in Saudi Arabia) to all the changes impacting work, highlighting that today’s workers need more help finding their path forward than ever before.
“The pace of change at work in the last few years could be seen as relentless – from flexible arrangements to AI integration. It’s therefore hardly surprising that the majority of professionals feel overwhelmed and worried about being left behind. It will be important for workers to stay informed, upskill and continuously learn, as taking these small but important steps will help them build the confidence needed to thrive in this evolving environment. Look for opportunities to take charge of your career development continuously, and not only when you want to look for a new opportunity, in order to stay agile,” said Najat Abdalhadi, MENA LinkedIn Career Expert.
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