Latest news with #Perspectus
Khaleej Times
19-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE employees work 7 unpaid overtime hours per week on average, survey says
UAE professionals say that, on average, they work seven extra hours per week, adding up to 3.5 days of unpaid overtime per month, which is impacting their work-life balance, according to a new survey. Released by insights agency Perspectus, the survey says that majority of the employees in the UAE believe that they're stressed and overworked in the post-pandemic period as nearly 8 out of 10 employees — 76 per cent — said that their work-life balance has worsened after Covid-19. The study found that approximately 6 out of 10 — 59 per cent — of UAE employees find it hard to switch off. Shockingly, 9 out of 10 employees said that they regularly respond to work emails and calls outside official hours, putting them under additional stress and burden. 'Professionals in the Middle East are working harder than ever, however, our research shows that they're beginning to question whether it is actually worth it. It could be that employers will, at some point, have to rethink some of their practices if they want to retain happy and contented staff,' said Jon Horsley, senior research consultant at Perspectus. 'Younger people in particular were much more likely to push back against extra unpaid hours with around half saying that they could imagine quitting if they were unable to get a better work/life balance,' added Horsley. According to the 2025 Employees Sentiment Study released by global professional services firm Aon, work-life balance programmes are among the top three benefits that UAE employees value the most. Professionals are increasingly under pressure as competition in the market is increasing due to the inflow of more foreign workers into the country. The UAE is one of the most highly attractive markets globally for professionals and job-seekers due to zero income tax, safety and security, world-class quality educational system and quality of life — helping local firms retain talent for a longer period. Psychologists suggest that reducing work hours could lead to better overall health of employees. Based on a survey of 2,000 UAE professionals, the study revealed that just 26 per cent feel they have a good work-life balance. Despite 80 per cent working remotely one to two days per week, 60 per cent believe this has actually made it harder to disconnect. More than half – 55 per cent – of UAE employees working beyond official hours is simply expected of them and 43 per cent worry that if they don't put in extra time, someone else will. And one-third said their boss directly told them to work harder. As a result, while 34 per cent of employees feel loyal to their company, they do not believe their employer shows the same loyalty in return. Interestingly, nearly half of UAE employees would accept a pay cut in exchange for a shorter working week with younger professionals being the most in favour, with 66 per cent preferring a four-day working week.
Khaleej Times
09-03-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Most UAE gym-goers back ban on selfies, filming during workout, finds survey
A majority of gym regulars in the UAE support a complete ban on taking selfies and videos inside fitness establishments, a recent study by a research agency has revealed. Out of 2,000 gym-goers polled, an overwhelming 61 per cent agreed that filming videos and taking selfies for social media should be banned. Nevertheless, more than 80 per cent of those polled confessed they have taken videos or pictures themselves. Released by research agency Perspectus, the survey asked participants what frustrated them the most during their gym sessions. The top two irritants included those who film TikTok videos and people who talk loudly on their phone — both with 40 per cent of respondents agreeing it was an annoyance. The poll also noted that 30 per cent of respondents found it annoying when people take selfies in the gym and leave without working out, while 27 cent of gym goers didn't like it when people took selfies in the gym in general. Moreover, 23 per cent found it an annoyance to see fitness 'influencers' at the gym. 'Be mindful of others' Sadia Anwar, a regular gym-goer, said every time she steps into the gym there is at least one person recording themselves there. Although she is opposed to an outright ban on filming, she said people need to be mindful of others. She noted that the UAE already has laws to protect people's privacy. Article 44 of the Cyber Law prohibits the recording of others in private or public places without their consent and is punishable by law. She said that even though she thinks it is inspiring seeing other people's fitness journeys online, the scale at which gym influencer culture is growing 'risks becoming another trend.' 'What kind of society are we building when the primary goal is to be seen rather than to be? Is there anything we still do purely for the joy of it, for personal growth, without an audience in mind? 'As long as you're not disturbing anyone or hogging machines, it's fine,' Anwar added. 'The same rules that apply in any shared public space apply to the gym—basic respect, awareness, and common sense,' she said. Gym etiquette Personal trainer Radoslaw Adam Lesniak, too, comes across a lot of people recording or taking selfies at the gym — to the point where there would be tripods all around. He said he supports a ban on filming inside gyms because, 'not everyone who goes to the gym wants to be in the background of people filming themselves.' In terms of gym etiquette, Lesniak said people should have permission to record in a public gym space, recounting how he saw arguments among people who did not approve of being in a video. 'Something positive happened once in front of me, while a girl was recording herself training, she politely asked the guy who came to train next to her if he doesn't mind being on the video, if yes, she will stop. That's the right approach,' he said. Lesniak added that because of his job as a personal trainer, he is strict about people recording during their training session. 'You are here to do your workout and focus. It's only one hour from your day that you can forget about everything, all problems outside the gym and phones have to be left in the locker.' He said there are exceptions to be made, like if a client wants to take pictures to keep as memory. Positive content Lesniak said there are some upsides when it comes to posting gym content online. He said he sometimes posts himself before or after a workout on his social media accounts and once got a message from a follower saying he was inspired to start his own fitness journey. 'So, there are some positives in that if we can motivate someone or promote any sort of discipline.' Mubarak Hamad, another gym regular, said he supports the banning of filming in the gym. He said he comes across fitness 'influencers' quite often in his gym, which he doesn't appreciate because he feels like he might appear in the background of somebody's social media. For Hamad, gym etiquette is all about 'not delaying others from using the equipment because some people are filming. It is also about making sure that the area is free of people before recording, and leaving the space as clean as it was,' he said.
