UAE professionals are changing jobs - and it’s got less to do with workload, pay

Dubai: For many UAE professionals, decisions to move on from a role often stem from deeper issues — such as a lack of supportive leadership, unmet expectations, or feeling disconnected from their teams.

A new report from recruitment giant Robert Walters sheds light on a growing workplace trend — one that many professionals in the UAE will find all too familiar.

A staggering two-thirds of professionals (63%) say they’ve left a job simply because they didn’t feel a real connection with their leadership. And even more — 68% — say “empty promises” from management were the final straw. That’s right: leaders saying all the right things and doing none of them.

The takeaway? In 2025 and beyond, “human-centric leadership” isn’t just a buzzword — it could be the key to keeping your best talent.

While this isn’t unique to the UAE, many working professionals here may relate. In a fast-paced, performance-driven environment, it’s not unusual for employees to feel overlooked or micromanaged over time — prompting some to quietly consider new opportunities.

Gerrit Bouckaert, CEO at Robert Walters, explains: “Much like you’d invest in tech upgrades, the same care must be shown to your people. It’s time to put the human back in leadership.”

In an age where AI, automation, and remote work dominate workplace chatter, people are craving authenticity and empathy. The Robert Walters Talent Trends 2025 report says companies that adopt this mindset are:

That’s a pretty strong business case for being a better boss.

So what does “bad leadership” look like from an employee’s perspective? According to the survey:

It’s not about perfection — it’s about presence. Leaders who only show up when they need something? 62% of employees see right through it. And over 70% say they can spot fake positivity from a mile away.

If you want to stop the talent drain, it’s time to ditch outdated hierarchies and robotic leadership. Be present. Be human. And mean what you say — because your team can tell when you don’t.