Many people head for Dubai in search of a better quality of life, shorter working hours, a great tax-free income and a work/life balance. While this is true in many respects, several perceptions differ markedly from reality. Many people have to work very long hours, even for seven days a week in some cases. If you’re used to working flexitime or part time, you’ll find it very difficult to do so in Dubai. Full-time working is the rigid norm.

Most companies in Dubai with their take-it-or-leave-it attitude cannot evolve and employees, left with no other option, indeed leave in case they don’t like the job. As a result, obsolete working practices are prevalent in Dubai to this day. Even managers who entice you with the assurance that they work along Western lines may turn their back soon and do as they please.

If Dubai is serious about playing with the big boys on the global stage, it simply has no option but to improve working conditions and offer a level playing field for workforce. This is the only way Dubai can continue to attract quality people and retain them over the long term.