Mubasher: In its latest poll, Bayt.com revealed the four key motivators for the Middle East’s professionals opting for freelance work options: earning extra income accounted for 38%, voting learning new skills contributed 29%, while the remaining 21% and 8% were registered for freedom to practice what they like as well as the ability to control their own work schedule.

In order to succeed independently, the poll respondents said that freelancers need to possess specific skills, as 41% voted for time management which, while ability to market themselves accounted for 23% of the poll's results, attention to detail recorded 10%, and only 4% voted for financial skills, according to a press release on Sunday.

In addition, the respondents pointed out the advantages of part-time work as, ‘’flexibility (46%), more time to study (23%), more time for family (11%), reduced stress levels and improved health (10), and more time to pursue other interests (6%),’’ the press release said.

A large number of MENA job seekers prefer flexible jobs, with 59% of the region’s professionals see that flexibility has a positive impact on productivity. The research further shows that ‘’flexible working encompasses certain working patterns or ways of working, such as flexi-time, working part-time hours, or working from home.’’

As part-time work is seen to have many challenges, ‘’the majority of employees are prepared to go along with existing norms for how work is organized. In fact, 80% of MENA professionals would prefer to be employed full-time while only 7% would choose to work part-time if given the choice,’’ according to the press release.

The respondents also highlighted some disadvantages of part-time work; results showed 35% of the voters chose lack of job security, 13% voted for lack of extra benefits, while less pay than full-time jobs and fewer chances of receiving a promotion got 19% and 17%, respectively of the votes.

In this regard, General Manager of Bayt.com Omar Tahboub said, ‘’ Our poll aims to bring out the perspective of the workforce, examining workers’ attitudes and views towards flexibility and alternative work arrangements. The results can help employers better understand all segments of the workforce and tailor to a more diverse pool of talent, attracting and making the best use of this resource.’’

The results came as part of a sample including 7,869 respondents from the following countries: UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and others.

Source: Mubasher

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