Trust
Long hours, thin cover: the MENA workload conversation
Contracts state working hours. Teams set workload. Across the region, small teams carrying regional remits are where the two drift furthest apart—and where burnout usually begins.
Ask about cover, not just hours
A reasonable week collapses quickly when one person covers several markets. Ask how many people do this job, what happens during leave, and whether weekend or late coverage is rotated or informal.
Rest is a practice, not a benefit
Annual leave that cannot be taken is not leave. A practical test: what proportion of the team used their full entitlement last year, and were requests refused?
- Is out-of-hours contact expected, and from whom?
- Is time back given after a heavy period?
- How is Ramadan or seasonal load planned for?
Why this belongs in a review
Workload patterns are exactly the kind of detail job adverts omit and future candidates need. Reported as a pattern—without naming a team or a date—it is both safe to share and genuinely useful.
Important: Statutory working hours and leave entitlements differ by country. Check current rules for your jurisdiction.
Sadeq Editorial distinguishes official statistics from survey findings and interpretation. Regional figures describe broad patterns—not every country, sector or workplace.