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A significant shift is occurring within the UAE workforce, as nearly eight in 10 professionals report that their roles have expanded over the past year. According to research from Robert Walters, 79% of employees are now managing duties that fall outside their initial job descriptions, a trend driven by companies adjusting to a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Robert Walters describes this phenomenon as the rise of “shadow workloads,” where additional tasks are accumulated informally without formal adjustments to job titles, compensation, or career development paths. To cope with these demands, 49% of surveyed professionals reported working longer hours, while 25% have turned to delegating tasks. Notably, only 17% of those surveyed have formally discussed these increased responsibilities with their management.
Oli Sanford-Scutt, Senior Director at Robert Walters Middle East, noted that the trend highlights the agility of the local workforce. However, he cautioned that companies must ensure these expanded roles are properly recognized and managed to prevent them from becoming a permanent source of stress. Andrew Powell, Chief Commercial Officer at Robert Walters, added that while wider roles offer short-term flexibility, employers need better visibility into how workloads are increasing to maintain long-term performance.
Artificial intelligence is playing a central role in this transition, with 73% of UAE professionals utilizing AI tools to handle tasks that previously exceeded their existing skill sets. This rapid adoption is helping employees boost productivity and pivot into new areas of work more efficiently. Sanford-Scutt characterized the UAE workforce as one of the most technology-focused in the region, providing local businesses with a distinct competitive advantage.
Despite these gains, experts warn that AI should be implemented with clear expectations. The goal, according to Robert Walters, should be for productivity improvements to alleviate pressure rather than simply serving as a justification for assigning more work. “For businesses operating in the UAE, being intentional about how AI is integrated, and what it means for individual capacity, is becoming an increasingly important part of talent retention,” Sanford-Scutt stated.
The impact of these shifting workloads is evident in employee well-being. The survey found that 43% of professionals frequently suffer from fatigue, emotional exhaustion, or reduced concentration following periods of intense performance, with an additional 31% experiencing these effects occasionally. Powell suggested that when managed correctly, these additional responsibilities can foster professional development. He advised organizations to monitor pressure points, redistribute workloads, invest in productivity software, or bring in temporary support to strike a sustainable balance between efficiency and employee health. The report also notes that reflecting how organisations are redistributing responsibilities as business needs evolve, the survey found that 79 per cent of respondents were handling duties beyond their original job scope. The report also notes that “The UAE’s business environment moves fast, and organisations have had to adapt quickly,” he said. The report also notes that alyaa Aldhanhani is a business reporter based in Fujairah. The report also notes that markets and lifestyle trends in the UAE with a focus on stories that connect with everyday readers, she covers business.
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- The report also notes that one visa for 6 Gulf countries: GCC chief says scheme will launch ‘soon.
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