Survive or die: Work causes stress

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Survive or die: Work causes stress

The success-driven environment in the country may be responsible for statistics which say half the workforce is stressed or severely stressed on a daily basis.

By Amanda Fisher

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Published: Tue 15 Jan 2013, 9:10 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 12:31 PM

A recent survey, which quizzed 10,000 people in 13 countries in the region, showed 49 per cent in the UAE reported being stressed or severely stressed, compared with 46 per cent across the region. The survey was undertaken by recruitment website Bayt.com and market research company YouGov.

American psychologist Raymond Hamden, who also works in Dubai, has done extensive workplace consultancy and says stress and productivity are intimately related.

“(The stress level) wouldn’t surprise me because with the characteristics of the UAE, and in particular cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you have to be the best at what you do to survive, there’s no such thing as being second best.”

Those who survived were usually the best in the field, which put immense pressure on employees: “They have to perform or be made redundant...if a person’s not performing, that’s it, they’re going to be made redundant.”

Dr Hamden said this was a particular issue for expatriates working in the country because there was no guarantee of due process or notice periods, and without a job, workers had to leave the country.

“When you look at these scenarios you’ll find there’s a lot of stress, anxiety (and) depression... it’s very similar to having any kind of a trauma in life because they perceive their job... as life-threatening if they’re vulnerable to losing it.”

However, there was always stress in life, regardless of location, he said.

“A geographic cure is not available.”

And stress was not all bad, as it was often an indicator of success.

“I’d see a lower level of productivity with people who are too secure for the wrong reasons and they don’t have to perform because there’s no mandate that ‘We’ll fire them’.”

Dr Hamden said there were four things necessary each day for a healthy and balanced life: work, play, friendship and family, and worship and meditation.

“Research shows if a person would take off 30 to 45 minutes in the morning and... afternoon they actually get more done in less time, working more is actually not more productive.”

He said he had consulted for two companies, recommending employees work six hours a day rather than eight, which resulted in one company’s revenue jumping 10-fold and the other increasing four-and-a-half times.

UAE residents spoken to by Khaleej Times say while their jobs are stressful, they have adjusted to the workload.

Chef Francis Mathais, 38, said he was supposed to work 10 hour-days, five days a week. “But normally I work 12 to 13 hours. It depends — when I’m needed, I’m there.”

The Indian national had worked in the country for 15 years and said the good facilities and hygiene standards helped reduce stress, but working in a hot kitchen for hours on end was something that needed to be adjusted to.

“My job is stressful, so we’re used to it.”

Azerbaijan national Sabina Dzhalilova, 26, spent a year working in human resources in an Abu Dhabi construction company, for at least nine-and-a-half hours a day, five-and-a-half days each week.

She had previously had responsibility for more than 2,000 people, which was stressful — particularly with language and cultural barriers.

“Many (workers) couldn’t even speak English. It’s really stressful but there’s no problem you can’t solve.”

She was now job-seeking but wanted to open her own business.

“It’s going to be stressful but it’s better because you’re working for yourself.”

Survey reveals a picture of 
UAE workers:

  • 49% say they are under stress or severe stress on a daily basis.
  • 3 out of 5 say they intend to leave their jobs within a year.
  • 38% say they receive very little or no support from their workplaces in achieving a work-life balance.
  • 56% say they are motivated or highly motivated daily by the work they do.

amanda@khaleejtimes.com


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