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28 March 2024

5 fundamental factors that'll make you switch jobs in 2016

Published
By Shuchita Kapur

Planning to change jobs as we head into 2016? You’re among an increasing number of employees likely to jump the ship, say experts.

Data by jobs portal Bayt.com suggests that 43 per cent of employees in the Mena region, including the UAE, do not see themselves working for the same employer for the next two years with a majority of respondents (61 per cent) actively trying to move to another organisation.

And there are five big reasons that may compel you to do so.

#1 Money Matters

According to a report by recruitment firm Robert Half, the biggest factor that can prompt an employee to leave is a better paycheque. This doesn’t come as a surprise in a job market where expats play an important role.

According to the survey report, the biggest proportion of respondents (29 per cent) who participated in the study will leave their current job for higher remuneration, which includes salary, bonus and benefits.

This factor may have gained prominence among the workforce as many companies now stick to a nominal pay hike.

According to the latest salary increase survey, conducted by Aon Hewitt, a talent services provider, UAE firms have projected a 5 per cent increase in pay in 2016, up from the 4.8 per cent projection made for 2015. In terms of actual increases for 2015, the UAE recorded a 4.8 per cent increase.

In such a scenario, an employee may consider changing jobs if another company offers a double-digit hike.

Read: Here's how much UAE salaries will go up in 2016

#2 Promotion Prospects

Next on the list is the possibility of career advancement, as stated by 27 per cent of respondents. Global young professionals rank the UAE as their number one dream work destination, over the likes of China, Brazil, South Africa and India.

According to the Global Shapers Annual Survey 2015 conducted by World Economic Forum, more than 1,000 young people aged between 20 and 30 from around the globe ranked the UAE as the number one emerging market destination for professional fulfilment. 

Asked what country they would most like to relocate to in order to advance their career, respondents chose the UAE as the number one emerging markets destination over the Brics nations despite the massive scale of the latter economies.

Career advancement was the top attribute Shapers looked for in an employer, with 48 per cent choosing it among their top three attributes.

Read: Why professionals rank UAE as dream work destination

#3 Leisurely Lifestyle

Third on the list of factors that UAE employees consider while making a job change is the need of work and life balance. If a potential employer offers better and flexible work hours, chances are that the employee may switch jobs, as stated by 24 per cent of the people.

In an earlier ‘Employee Motivation in the Mena’ survey conducted by Bayt.com and research firm YouGov, three-quarters of UAE respondents (75 per cent) believe that a good work-life balance is a very important source of motivation, with 60 per cent claiming that their current organisation offers support for them to achieve this (this was 2 per cent higher than the regional average of 58 per cent).

Read: Work-life balance most motivating factor for employees in UAE

#4 Cutting on Commute

Location also play an important role in deciding whether an employee will stick to his job or will change it. Thirteen per cent of those who participated in the survey said this is one factor that can help them decide whether they will stick to a job or not.

A job closer to home and cutting down on travel time seem to be the reasons behind this choice.

Read: Job hunting in Dubai: 5 things you should (or shouldn't) do in 2015

#5 Cool Corporate Culture

Finally, 7 per cent of the respondents said a better corporate culture can make them switch jobs. Earlier this year, the Great Place to Work Institute UAE revealed its list of the top companies to work for in 2015.

The companies that made it to the list show an even split between local firms and multinational companies. The Institute says the final results point to a maturing HR sector in the UAE. These are the best companies where employees are truly happy to work.

Read: Top 15 firms to work for in UAE: Do you want to work for one?