{"id":402,"date":"2021-01-17T22:03:31","date_gmt":"2021-01-17T20:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/applyya.com\/blog\/?p=402"},"modified":"2021-05-15T14:11:20","modified_gmt":"2021-05-15T12:11:20","slug":"5-things-you-must-know-about-the-workplace-culture-in-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/applyya.com\/blog\/5-things-you-must-know-about-the-workplace-culture-in-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things You Must Know About the Workplace Culture in Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The country of Saudi Arabia is famous for its oil exports. Still, very few of us know lucrative job opportunities there. Highly paid jobs accompanied by exciting fringe benefits are the welcome features of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us tell you an exciting fact about the Saudi market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

According to a 2018 Gulf News survey report<\/a>, Saudi Arabia is the highest salary paying state in the gulf with an average monthly salary of $8560. Despite the lucrative offers, job seekers tend to hesitate in applying to Saudi companies due to hardcore Islamic laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 13 million expats<\/a> are working as the economic backbone of Saudi Arabia. Surprisingly, 9.4% of expat women are also a vital part of Saudi Arabia\u2019s workforce. That clearly shows that there is a huge potential for female talent in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent Changes in the Corporate Culture in Saudi Arabia for Female Employees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia may not be a popular work destination among the female job seekers, but the things are improving for good. According to The World Bank report of \u201cWomen, Business, and the Law 2020<\/a>\u201d Saudi Arabia topped the charts in implementing the reforms for women empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newly introduced reforms give financial and personal liberty to women over 21 years of age. The Saudi government is also making an all-out effort to reduce gender-based pay gap and financial disparity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Saudi Arabia worth a try for female job-seekers around the globe?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gina is an American expat<\/a> who is living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia since 2011. She is a US Navy veteran, and her job hunt brought her to the KSA. In an interview, Gina shared \u201cthe expat community in Riyadh is great, and it helped her transition to the Middle Eastern lifestyle during her job. The women-only spas, horse riding and 18 hole golf parks are her favourite places.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may not find the crazy entertainment options in KSA, but it is a decent place to find highly paid jobs.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Saudia Arabia has Different Workplace Norms Than Other Countries?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a Muslim majority of 93%, and Islam is the official religion. Like the entire Middle East, the corporate culture in Saudi Arabia is also heavily influenced by Muslim culture. Don\u2019t be surprised when you get accustomed to Arabic words like Insha\u2019Allah, and Alhamdulillah during your Saudi Arabia tenure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us get you accustomed to the unique cultural workplace norms of Saudi Arabian corporate culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Unique Working Hours<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sunday is undoubtedly the best part of the week, but not in Saudi Arabia. In Islamic tradition, Friday is a sacred day, and Muslims observe a grand prayer every Friday afternoon. That is why the Saudi working days starts on Sunday and ends on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 9 to 5 job model does not fit in the Saudi corporate culture due to long breaks. Most offices have 8 am \u2013 6 pm\/7 am \u2013 7 pm work hours, including the refreshment breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As being an expat, you might have to burn the midnight oil to do your job successfully. Majority of Saudi companies do not prefer a remote working environment. However, the ongoing pandemic has also introduced the remote work concept in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the workload and hours reduce significantly in Ramadan. Ramadan is a holy month and Muslims fast in Ramadan from dawn to dusk. That is why work hours might reduce to as less as 30 hours in Ramadan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Language Difference<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia has a diverse workforce, including the 75% expats<\/a>. Along with the local Arabs in the higher positions, you will also have to develop a cordial relationship with your peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabian companies own a huge share of foreign employees. That is why being only proficient in English may not work best in Saudi Arabia. It would be best to learn some basic Arabic terms to acclimatise with the Saudi culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are some of the famous Arabic terms you will hear every day in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assalam Alaikum<\/strong> is a formal Islamic greeting. It means \u2018Peace be upon you\u2019 and it\u2019s the perfect substitute for saying Hi.
Example: Assalam Alaikum!<\/em> How may I help you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walaikum Assalam<\/strong> is the response to Assalam Alaikum. It means \u2018Peace be upon you too.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example: Walaikum Assalam! <\/em>I have been looking forward to meeting you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahlan Wa Sahlan<\/strong> is probably the first addition to your Arabic vocabulary when you land in Saudi Arabia. It means welcome. You can use Ahlan Wa Sahlan when someone arrives at your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example: Ahlan Wa Sahlan!<\/em> I\u2019m your tour guide to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habeebi\/Habeebti<\/strong> are the masculine and feminine versions of the word \u2018darling\u2019 in Arabic. You can use them with your friends and peers. Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– You are welcome, Habeebi (male).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Where were you, Habeebti (female)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marhaba<\/strong> is one of the most commonly used Arabic terms, and you can use it to greet and welcome your guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example: Marhaba<\/em>, I\u2019m so glad to see you at my home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khallas<\/strong> means the end of something. You can use it to indicate when you are done with discussion or work.
Example: Khallas<\/em>, my work has been finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insha\u2019Allah<\/strong> is certainly the most common word Muslims use every day. It means \u2018if God wills\u2019.
Example: I\u2019ll finish this task by tomorrow, Insha\u2019Allah.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hala<\/strong> is the non-formal Arabic greeting, and you can use it in place of hello.
Example: Hala<\/em>! What is going on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Masalamah<\/strong> is the opposite of Assalam Alaikum. It means \u2018goodbye\u2019. You can use it at the end of the day to say goodbye to your colleagues and friends.
Example: I will see you tomorrow. Masalamah<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shukran<\/strong> is the \u2018thank you\u2019 in Arabic. The addition of \u2018La\u2019 in the start of Shukran will change it to \u2018No thanks\u2019.
Example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n