As an Islamic country, the UAE possesses a business culture that leans towards conservative compared to Europe or the United States. Moreover, the weekend spans from Friday to Saturday, differing from Saturday to Sunday in Western countries.
Despite this, you will notice that the business world of the UAE is a mixture of two cultures. Moreover, most Emiratis are lenient towards foreign business partners because they understand that they have different habits and traditions.
Personal relationships are the key to doing business in the Emirates. For this reason, local business culture requires that you pay attention to small talk and networking, even in work meetings. Likewise, loyalty is highly valued. If you are looking for a job in Dubai and are already learning the ins and outs of the culture, use Laybord and this job search site to speed up your search process.
Working hours and conditions
The working day in the UAE lasts eight hours, from 9 am to 5 pm. In addition, the work week runs from Sunday to Thursday. Conversely, during the holy month of Ramadan, the majority of people work only six hours a day. Although timing is not a priority, locals respect the issue. Thus, it is crucial to be punctual for work and meetings.
The UAE also prioritizes a healthy work-life breakingtimes balance. For example, most employees receive 30 days of vacation time along with public holidays. They can also receive up to 90 days of sick leave. Women also have 45 days of paid maternity leave.
Communication
Having appropriate communication skills is essential for good business etiquette in the UAE. Given its conservative culture, formal communication is customary. For instance, when meeting new acquaintances for the first time, you should address them as “Mr.” or “Miss.” And while men may shake hands lightly, when meeting women, it’s customary to wait for them to initiate. Additionally, you should always greet the older person first.
In business meetings, compliments are normal. Because relationship building is such an important part of culture, it is common to flatter hosts and their organization. Every business meeting begins with small talk. For example, a good way to talk about families, country, and local food. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to steer clear of contentious subjects like politics and religion. If you plan to look for jobs of various categories, from doctors to cleaning, then use job search sites and this will increase your chance of successfully finding a cleaner job in Dubai.
Dress code
Most locals wear traditional clothes in business settings. These are the dishdasha for men (a long white shirt) and the abaya for women (a long traditional Arab dress). Foreigners should wear modest and non-revealing formal attire. Men are advised to choose suits and shoes. Meanwhile, women need to pay close attention to their outfit. It is crucial to consistently check that your shoulders are covered, chest, arms from shoulders to elbows, and knees. Long skirts and dresses offer a favorable option. You can also wear a light jacket and shirt over loose, flowy pants. In any case, it is better to avoid wearing bright jewelry and strong perfume.
Present
When you first meet a prospective client, consider presenting usainfopress a symbolic gift. Likewise, it is always appropriate to give it as a gift at the conclusion of a transaction. Gifts are also appropriate in honor of major religious holidays such as Ramadan.If it’s possible to purchase it overseas, so much the better. Locals appreciate souvenirs from representatives of different cultures.
It’s advisable to refrain from exchanging gifts between different genders. However, if you need to give a gift to a woman, it is best to have a woman on your team give it to you. At the very least, you can mention it was from a family member. The same applies to a woman who must give a gift to a male business partner.
There are certain items that you should also avoid giving as gifts as they may offend your Muslim colleagues. For example, do not give alcohol, pigskin products, personal items, or anything related to pork or dogs.
Organizational structure and hierarchy are prominent in the UAE
As a highly hierarchical society, the local business culture reflects this stratification. Most companies exhibit a strong vertical hierarchy. In most companies, senior positions are occupied by more experienced and senior employees. Moreover, they are the key decision-makers.
Conversely, lower-level employees generally have infonewsmedia limited involvement in decision-making processes. They typically remain subordinate and adhere to directives from higher authorities. Therefore, you will need to attract the best players to do business with.
Meetings and negotiations
Meetings play a pivotal role in the business culture of the United Arab Emirates. However, they can take different forms. You may have to attend formal meetings where the most senior people present, discuss, and negotiate. Alternatively, you can attend more casual lunches or coffees. In certain instances, you might be invited to dine at someone’s home.
Because of the significance of personal relationships in business, it is crucial to foster connections with business partners. During any meeting, allocate at least 30 minutes to make small talk before getting down to business. Rushing and being pushy is considered impolite, so expect the meeting to take some time. However, answering phone calls or messages is acceptable. Just don’t delay it.
Networking in the UAE
Social media holds significance in the business culture of the United Arab Emirates. Consequently, social media facilitates discovering numerous business opportunities through networking with individuals online. You never know who can facilitate an introduction to a decision-maker at a large company. The UAE also organizes numerous networking events. If you’re new to the country, attending these events is a great way to expand your business network.
Women in business in the UAE
Women are increasingly participating in business in the UAE. This is because many Emirati women are becoming more educated and are choosing to work rather than marry early.
Indeed, in 2018, 71% of Emirati university graduates were women. Furthermore, numerous expatriate women relocate to the UAE for employment opportunities or to establish businesses. The UAE government supports women in the workforce by providing part-time and flexible working hours, along with paid maternity leave.
The government also promotes equality in the workplace. The Pay Equity Act was enacted in 2018 to initiate the reduction of the gender pay gap. Articles 27 to 24 of the UAE labor law similarly aim to safeguard women’s rights. According to these rules, women cannot work from 22:00 to 7:00 (except for technical and medical services). Likewise, women cannot be employed in hazardous work and are entitled to maternity benefits.
However, only 5% of leadership positions in the UAE private sector are held by women. Nevertheless, there seems to be a trend towards greater inclusivity in government. Women constitute 66% of the public sector workforce, with 30% occupying senior positions and another 27% serving in the UAE cabinet.