Saff_Parker

Hey

Do you think work/office culture is more intense in the UK and that it's an easier ride in the Gulf? Or not?

I'm curious about you guys think/have experienced. So many of my friends say that it's a bit "mickey mouse" over there compared to the UK. Most notably one of my friends at KPMG.

But on the other hand I've been told to expect to work long hours when I start out in Dubai.

Cheers

Saff

UKCityGent

I work less hours (probably in the region of 50 hours) compared to the 70+ in the Uk. The work is similar to what i was doing in the UK but much easier. The main advantage here is that there is more variety (possibly as its a smaller company).

mentalist

Personally, we rarely work here in Dubai longer than 8am-5pm five days a week and the home-to-work commuter time is 15 minutes. Back in the UK I would often work until 7-8pm and the commute was over 45 minutes. However, I know of others who work more than they used to. Compared to the much easier life in KSA, the motto here in Dubai is that you generally work hard and play hard.

NKL

I work in financial markets with the same benchmark, so the goals don't change for me whether I am in London, Dubai or Galapagos Islands. It can be more difficult to achieve objectives when in Dubai/ another location because of the bureaucracies of other departments within your organization, bringing in inefficiencies to the process. Also time difference with UK can be a negative, as is the different weekends to UK/USA.

rowell

I work longer and harder here than the uk, it was culture in areas I worked to get to the pub by half 5 / 6 then cab home about 8. Certainly more frustrating working here with the authorities and total lack of common sense.

Millhouse

Don't confuse long hours, hard work and quality.

Here, I see people attending all hours God sends, yet doing little and producing utter shite.

Companies, their management and treatment of staff can also be shambolic. I would put KPMG firmly on that list.

There are also excellent companies - but they are fewer and further between that they would be in the UK.

OleJanx

I worked similar hours, it's just the quality of work was different. I could end up finishing work in the Gulf at gone 10 P.M. as I would be out and about chasing up cheques and otherwise as payment. One happy evening in Qatar, I was given a carrybag with the equivalent of £15,000 in it. I don't think I slept for longer than 5 minutes at a time whilst it was under my roof - I lived in a duff part of Doha east of Al Sadd at the time, and quite a few houses had been burgled, albeit mainly for booze and jewellery, but even so, I didn't fancy that bag of money disappearing much....

Blue Cat

When I did work here it was way longer hours than the UK. I came from a 37 hour week to a 48 hour week. You get used to it though.

Saff_Parker

Oh crikey!
Interesting. Thanks for the replies everyone

OleJanx

You will find that it's different, and not really comparible, but all been well . you will settle down.
Good luck.

AirBender

My work hours are 7 to 2ish (rarely its 4), with 15 mins drive each way compared to 9 to 7ish with 1 hour commute each way. So yes a lot better here in ME than in UK. Plus work is a lot easier too, more breaks, less hard work for more money.

scot47

A Wesh colleague of mine, now in the Great Classroom in the Sky, used to say," I tried work but I didn't like it, so I came to Saudi Arabia."

RIP Roy Thomas !

MaserMan

'Big 4' standard out here is shocking. The quality of work is a joke but as they pay peanuts, they get monkeys.

In Saudi I worked 8 - 4 and the work was OK some days better than others. Now in Doha and working 7am - usually about 6pm, actually meant to finish at 3.30pm. I am expected to deliver and this is the only way to keep on top of things due to endless meetings during the day.

scot47

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Four_%28audit_firms%29

I see. We can learn - even at my advanced age !

OleJanx

I liked the middle east, but it burned me out - you wouldn't want a transplant from me....