Office workers in the UAE would prefer to spend 67% of their workweek in the office — well above the global average of 60% — but many are held back by limitations in workspace design and functionality, according to new data from Gensler’s 2025 Global Workplace Survey.
The report, based on input from more than 16,800 full-time employees across 15 countries, including a deep sample from the UAE, sheds light on shifting workplace expectations as the country pushes forward with national goals around innovation and wellbeing.
While there’s a strong desire to be physically present at work, many UAE offices aren’t equipped to support the activities that draw workers in.
Employees cited team meetings, private discussions, and face time with leadership as key reasons for attending in person, but only 28% feel their current office enables these effectively.
“The UAE has become a global benchmark for ambition and adaptability… Our research reveals a clear gap between what employees need to thrive — flexibility, creativity, and connection — and what their current spaces provide,” said Edith Eddy, Senior Interior Designer, Workplace, at Gensler Middle East.
Traditional formats losing appeal
Only 15% of UAE workers said their ideal workplace resembles a formal “business hub,” while 29% reported working in such a setting. Instead, employees are showing growing interest in “creative labs” and “nature retreats” — environments that emphasise wellness, flexibility, and purpose.
This trend mirrors global shifts away from rigid office formats. The UAE ranks among the top five countries where employees prefer imaginative, wellbeing-driven spaces.
Focus and collaboration top priorities
Though post-pandemic upgrades have improved office quality, only 31% of UAE respondents strongly agree their workplace supports peak performance. Common challenges include noise, limited meeting rooms, and inefficient layouts.
Top improvement areas include quiet zones, better acoustics, and spaces for informal collaboration — all seen as vital for supporting both individual focus and team interaction.
Amenities influence experience
Employees in the UAE also place high value on on-site amenities like cafés, coworking areas, quiet rooms, and innovation hubs. Compared to the global average, local workers are more likely to favour informal, flexible workspaces.
Beyond the office walls, the surrounding environment matters too. Workers expressed a strong preference for neighbourhoods with coffee shops, green spaces, medical centres, and religious or spiritual facilities, underscoring a desire for offices embedded within community-friendly, walkable areas.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
