Latest news with #microretirements
Arabian Business
4 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Why Gen Z in the UAE is rethinking retirement
The classic career arc – decades of work leading to a single, distant retirement, is being reconsidered by a new generation in the UAE. While the concept of ' micro-retirements ' is sparking interest among digitally native Gen Z professionals, it's important to note that this is not yet a widespread movement, but rather an emerging trend that aligns with a growing appetite for flexibility and well-being. Forget the outdated idea that personal fulfillment must be postponed until retirement. The UAE's young professionals, known for their ambition and global outlook, are increasingly drawn to the idea of weaving shorter, intentional breaks into their careers. These pauses, for travel, learning, creative projects, or simply to recharge are becoming part of a broader conversation about what work-life balance should look like. This shift reflects a global change in attitudes toward mental health and holistic living. In the UAE, a hub of innovation and opportunity, there's a palpable cultural shift toward valuing flexibility and personal growth throughout one's working life, rather than waiting for a single, far-off reward. Global inspiration, local opportunity The concept of micro-retirement isn't unique to the Emirates. Around the world, professionals are exploring the idea of taking sabbaticals or shorter, more frequent breaks. But the UAE's progressive policies, thriving gig economy and embrace of flexible work arrangements make it a fertile ground for this trend to take root. With its attractive tax regime, robust digital infrastructure and access to international markets, the UAE is well positioned to support a new generation of professionals who want to integrate career breaks into their life plans. The nation's appeal to global talent and its entrepreneurial spirit further enable this kind of flexibility. Understanding micro-retirement: More than just a break At its core, micro-retirement is about planning and taking shorter career pauses, typically ranging from a few months to a year for personal enrichment. This could mean pursuing further education, travelling, working on passion projects, or prioritising well-being. This approach challenges the long-held belief that significant personal pursuits must wait until traditional retirement. For Gen Z in the UAE, it's about creating a more integrated lifestyle, where work and personal life are interwoven throughout the career journey. The UAE's enabling ecosystem The UAE's economic and regulatory environment is a significant advantage for those considering micro-retirements. The absence of capital gains tax makes investment returns more attractive, while easy access to global investment platforms and a growing number of regional IPOs empower individuals to grow their wealth efficiently. This environment allows young professionals to plan for career breaks without necessarily relying on sporadic income or depleting their savings. By leveraging the UAE's robust financial markets, they can build diversified portfolios that provide both short-term liquidity for breaks and long-term growth for future security. Strategising your finances for micro-retirement Prudent financial planning is essential for anyone considering a micro-retirement. Without a clear roadmap, the risk of financial strain increases. Here are some key steps for building a solid financial foundation in the UAE: Define clear financial milestones: Calculate the funds needed for living expenses, travel, healthcare, and contingency savings. For a 12-month break, this could range from AED 75,000 to AED 100,000, depending on lifestyle. Adopt a dual investment strategy: Balance short-term needs with long-term goals. A diversified portfolio ensures accessible funds for the near term and sustained growth for the future. Automate savings and investments: Consistency is key. Regular, automated transfers to savings and investment accounts leverage compounding and reduce market timing risks. Leverage the UAE's financial infrastructure: User-friendly digital trading platforms make it easy to invest in global markets, even with small initial capital. View micro-retirement as a complement: Micro-retirement is not a replacement for traditional retirement planning, but an integrated component of a broader financial strategy. The future landscape For the UAE's ambitious Gen Z professionals, the possibility of crafting a career with strategically placed breaks is becoming more realistic. While micro-retirement is not yet a mass behaviour, there are clear signs of growing interest and a supportive environment for this kind of lifestyle. The traditional question of ' When will you retire?' is evolving into a more empowering inquiry: ' How can I integrate periods of personal growth and rejuvenation into my career journey? ' In a rapidly changing world, the ability to step back, recharge, and pursue personal passions is increasingly valuable. The UAE, with its dynamic economy and forward-thinking policies, is ideally positioned to be a leading hub for this evolving work paradigm. For those who plan diligently, invest wisely, and prioritise their overall well-being, the vision of a fulfilling life, not just a fulfilling retirement is within reach.
Forbes
17-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Gen Z Is Re-Writing The Rules Of Workplace Careers In 2025
Gen Z is re-writing the rules of the modern workplace, making changes in old, outdated practices ... More that include more flexibility and support for work-life balance. Business leaders predict that Gen Z will dominate the workplace by 2030, and someday one of them could be your boss. Already, glimmers of their impact as change agents is evident in 2025. The younger generation of employees is reshaping the rules of the workplace, updating outdated practices and modernizing how work gets done, accounting for flexibility, work-life balance and human values in general. Plus, they're pushing employers to rethink how collaboration happens across teams. Gen Z is influencing the way work gets done. They are not shy to speak up and declare what they want. They are rewriting shift work in an emerging popular trend known as micro-shifts, tailored for flexibility and work-life balance to meet the needs of both employees and employers. They are to be credited, at least partially, for normalizing the belief that we don't have to drive ourselves into the ground to be effective in our jobs, that burnout is not a badge of honor for hard work, and that work-life balance is essential to our mental health. Instead of waiting until retirement to travel the world, Gen Z workers are proponents of micro-retirements between jobs to take time out from work stress, paving the way for future workers to prioritize a healthy work-life balance. Another way Gen Z is flipping the rules of the workplace is through a trend known as reverse mentoring in which they are tutoring senior executives. Gen Z is adamant that they want to be seen for who they are, not from hiring managers vilification of them as difficult to manage, just because they assert their constructive opinions. I culled six Gen Z requests from science-backed research and case studies that show what Gen Zs want from their employers to commit to the companies they work for and flourish in their jobs and careers: According to Christine Royston, CMO at Wrike, these shifts are more than just generational preferences. They're signals of a permanent change in workplace productivity. Royston believes Gen Z is driving the adoption of smarter, more flexible collaboration platforms. Royston says they prefer asynchronous communication, visual task management and flexible workflows, and they're pushing employers to rethink traditional models of collaboration across teams. 'I'm seeing Gen Z accelerating the shift away from rigid hierarchies and toward cultures that are fluid, tech-enabled and rooted in shared purpose,' she states. Royston says Gen Z doesn't want to "fit in" with the culture; they want to expand it. She interprets that to mean that they expect organizations to create environments that welcome diverse perspectives and empower innovation. 'Culture is no longer a static concept or a set of values on a wall, it's a dynamic operating system that either fuels progress or holds it back, and thanks to Gen Z, it's evolving faster than ever.' 'With little tolerance for outdated systems or fragmented workflows, Gen Z expects seamless, intuitive technology that supports real-time collaboration, no matter where or how they work,' Royston observes. 'We're currently seeing a shift in organizations investing in AI-driven, flexible platforms to reduce busywork and enhance productivity. That demand has driven our industry to adapt and improve--Wrike's recent integration of visual collaboration platform Klaxoon is one example of how we are working to meet the unique needs of digital-first workers.' Royston told me that as organizations grow more global and hybrid by nature, asynchronous, AI-assisted workflows are becoming non-negotiable. She believes they enable teams to collaborate efficiently across time zones without the constant pressure of real-time responses. 'AI streamlines repetitive tasks, helps prioritize work intelligently and creates clarity in complex projects,' she explains. 'This frees up time to focus on high-impact, creative problem-solving and minimizes obstructions or busy work. These workflows also support deeper productivity, reduce employee burnout and make it possible to build inclusive, agile teams that don't rely on a nine-to-five schedule to succeed.' Royston believes that in a world of constant disruption, the most effective leaders are those who combine speed with empathy. 'They make bold decisions quickly while staying attuned to the human impact of those choices,' she argues. 'Strategic clarity, adaptability and emotional intelligence are all essential traits of leaders who are future-proofing their teams and technology. Leaders must be able to guide their teams through uncertainty while creating psychological safety and still holding a high-performance mindset." Organizations that cultivate this kind of leadership will be best positioned to thrive through transformation as Gen Zers take over the helm. The Gen Z generation isn't just job hunting; they're redefining what work should look like for them. Rigid nine-to-five office hours, hierarchical structures and 'paying your dues' mean very little to Gen Z. They're looking for certain things, entering the workplace with the Gen Z mindset—not because they're entitled--but because they're not interested in burning out like their predecessors. And you have to admit that's a pretty healthy way of thinking for future success.
