Bayt.com is not just a job site. In addition to helping employers find quality candidates and jobseekers find top jobs, Bayt.com delivers a rich (and free!) calendar of valuable research reports on issues that are related to various aspects of people’s careers, but also to their happiness, well-being, and aspirations. Regular reports our community is used to include the Bayt.com MENA Salary Survey as well the MENA Consumer Confidence Index Survey and the MENA Jobs Index Survey, among others, and 2013 has been another year marked by great research reports. So what were the results of Bayt.com key reports for 2013? Below is a summary of our reports’ main findings: What really motivates people in the MENA?
- According to the Bayt.com ‘Career Aspirations’ survey, December 2013, 73% of professionals in the MENA claim to be motivated.
- For respondents in the same survey, motivation can be improved by increasing salaries, perks and benefits (56%), the opportunity to express creativity or showcase skills (44%), and a better work/life balance (43%).
- People in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are most motivated by a good work-life balance. (Find out what else motivates professionals across the MENA by downloading the Bayt.com ‘Employee Motivation in the MENA’ survey, January 2013.)
- 92% of MENA professionals feel that the work that they do is significant to their company.*
- 72% say that what they do is significant to their society, and a further 72% believe that their work is important to their country of residence.*
- 76% claim that their work gives them a sense of personal achievement.*
- MENA professionals are most loyal to their profession/line of work.*
- 53% of MENA professionals challenge their employees to achieve their best.*
- 50% of MENA managers give formal appreciation following a job well done
- Companies are considered to be transparent by 64% of professionals.*
- 23% of MENA professionals always work overtime or take work home with them.*
- The majority (59%) of MENA companies engage in CSR activities.*
- 85% of professionals are happy with their relationships with co-workers.*
- Professionals in the MENA are most dissatisfied with compensation and benefits (48% satisfied), followed by promises to employees not being kept (50% satisfied), and the quality of training opportunities (50% satisfied).*
*Results are taken from the Bayt.com ‘Employee Motivation in the MENA’ survey, January 2013. How happy are people in the MENA? Most of us probably don’t believe we need a formal definition of happiness; we know it when we feel it, and we often use the term to describe a range of positive emotions, including joy, pride, and gratitude. The Bayt.com ‘Happiness and Wellbeing in the MENA’ survey, July 2013, provides some really interesting insights as to what makes people happy in the MENA region:
- 50% say that they are ‘extremely satisfied’ with the current relationship they have with their family.
- 75% claim they are in good health.
- 62% are dissatisfied with the remuneration they receive.
- 45% suffer from stress-related diseases (i.e. depression, anxiety, etc.)
- GCC respondents have much higher levels of satisfaction on most attributes seen as key to happiness than other MENA residents.
- Respondents in North Africa express high dissatisfaction with the availability of key aspects such as general infrastructure, public transport facilities, opportunities to socialize, and entertainment avenues.
What are the life and career aspirations of MENA professionals? The Bayt.com ‘Career Aspirations’ survey, December 2013, reveals that MENA professionals’ overall opinion of their current job is positive. Other results from the same survey include the following:
- Under half (49%) of working respondents agree that their current job is perfect for them.
- 63% want a promotion.
- Almost half (46%) state that they want to be an expert in their field.
- 35% are prepared to move to another area of expertise or department to further their career.
- The top three reasons for seeking employment include the need to learn and gain experience (72%), to be gainfully employed (58%), and to feel useful to society (53%).
- The main barrier to personal career growth is identified as a lack of growth opportunities (39%).
- Four in 10 (39%) respondents are happy with their current work environment.
- The desired retirement age in the MENA region is sometime after 60 for almost half of respondents, while 23% would like to retire sometime between 56-60 years.
- Top priorities in life for MENA respondents are to have a successful career (64%), financial stability (60%) and good health (54%).
- The majority (78%) would consider relocating to another country for employment purposes, with the UAE being the destination of choice across all countries surveyed.
Other surveys worth reading… Have a look at these other surveys by Bayt.com to understand where recruitment in the MENA region is heading:
- The Bayt.com Middle East Job Index Survey – August 2013 to discover job trends and get an understanding of the key skill sets and qualifications required in regional job market. For example, did you know that the UAE, Qatar and KSA are regarded as the most attractive job markets in the Middle East?
- The Bayt.com Middle East and North Africa Salary Survey 2013 to uncover the realities of salary satisfaction in the region, what benefits are regarded as most desired by professionals in the MENA, and much more.
- The Bayt.com ‘Entrepreneurship in the MENA’ survey, October 2013, where you will discover the top reasons for seeking work within a company for professionals in the MENA, and to what extent entrepreneurship is seen as a viable career option.
- The Arab World Online: Changing Internet Usage Trends White Paper by Dubai School of Government and Bayt.com. This paper describes the relationship Arabs have with the internet, i.e. when, where, why, and how they access it.
- Finally, download the Bayt.com Middle East Consumer Confidence Index – September 2013, to see how people in MENA perceive the general economic situation in their country of residence.
