Jobseekers optimistic during Ramadan
dubai — Jobseekers in the UAE and Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region are optimistic about opportunities coming their way during the holy month of Ramadan.
This is also true for professionals looking to change their jobs, a new poll carried out by Bayt.com has found. According to the new ‘Ramadan in the Middle East and North Africa Workplace’ poll, 79.1 per cent of Mena professionals agree that they plan to spend more time looking for a new job during Ramadan.
A large contributor to the increased job search activity has to do with the fact that 49.6 per cent of those in the poll believe that Ramadan helps them to slow down their distractions and also allows them to focus on their career goals. On top of that, more than half of the respondents believe that companies’ hiring activity during the holy month either increases or remains the same.
While there is lots of optimism regarding new job opportunities in the market, experts have also cautioned that the summer period usually tends to be slower when it comes to hiring. This is mainly because recruiters take their annual vacations during the summer, and companies usually put off any hiring activity till the vacation period is over.
Last year, nearly seven in 10 UAE residents said they were having difficulties in finding a job. Fresh graduates bore the brunt of slow hiring activity, and many often opted to take up internships until a better opportunity presented itself. However, many fresh graduates and job seekers are more confident about the market this year.
With a favourable workplace atmosphere during the holy month, 72 per cent of respondents feel their workload decreases or remains the same during Ramadan to match their energy level and work hours. In contrast, less than three in 10 respondents claim that their workload increases during the holy month. When it comes to working hours, 45.7 per cent of respondents are satisfied with their companies’ working hours during the holy month; 19.1 per cent were neutral in response to this question; and 35.2 per cent said they were not satisfied with their working hours.
Despite the changes in workload and hours, productivity and commitment to work remain high in the Mena region during Ramadan. Over 63.7 per cent of respondents feel more productive in the workplace during Ramadan; 21.9 per cent say they are able to maintain the same level of productivity, and only 14.4 per cent report being less productive during Ramadan. In addition, 85.3 per cent of professionals are still committed and do not take more days off than usual during this month.
The Ramadan period also has many effects on workplaces in the UAE and Mena region, with 43.8 per cent of respondents noting that during Ramadan people work with more harmony and mindfulness, making the work environment a positive place to be in.