Economic headwinds, including rising inflation and widespread layoffs in the Middle East, are responsible for the “Swiss knife” employee trend becoming a permanent fixture of the Middle East’s workforce. These highly adaptable professionals with diverse skills and mindsets are gaining prominence in the region’s shifting job market.

Dynamism, versatility, and flexibility are the name of the game. While these employees do not stick to a job description, they grow to play many functions within an organization.

“Swiss knife employees are valuable because they can handle a broad range of responsibilities, helping to reduce salary costs. These generalists can adapt to different roles as the business evolves, often transforming their skills to meet new demands. This versatility allows small businesses to avoid hiring multiple specialists for individual roles, which can be costlier,” says Nathan Farrugia, Managing Director of Vistage UAE.

“However, as organizations grow, they may feel the lack of specialized expertise, as Swiss knife employees might not have the capacity to dive deeper into specific areas,” Farrugia adds.

Despite the tendency to serve as a double-edged sword to organizations, due to the downsizing of larger firms, it’s not uncommon for several larger enterprises to have one team lead operating the desk of the entire team.

Clarise Morris, Associate CIPD, Manager, Human Resources—MEA & APAC at Leviton Middle East, says, “The rise of Swiss knife employees is here to stay. It’s not just a trend or fad, but a shift toward a more adaptable workforce that will define the future of work.”

By investing in continuous learning and development, professionals can position themselves as valuable assets in the evolving job market. The ability to adapt, innovate, and collaborate will be vital to thriving in the era of the Swiss knife employee.

“While economic pressures may have sparked this need, upskilling is essential for staying competitive. In rapidly growing sectors like tech, finance, and healthcare in the UAE, businesses are increasingly seeking professionals who can pivot across functions, respond to diverse challenges, and help prepare for uncertainties—especially during volatile global events that impact the region,” says Morris.

CHALLENGES TO GROWTH

While organizations may benefit from Swiss knife employees, the employees working beyond a single capacity can find stumbling blocks to professional growth.

“Swiss knife employees face challenges in career progression because their broad skillset lacks the specialized expertise that organizations typically seek for leadership roles within specific domains,” says Farrugia.

“While their flexibility and problem-solving abilities make them invaluable in operational roles, they may not be viewed as experts in technical areas and might be seen as ‘generalists’ with limited depth in any field. This can sometimes result in them being overlooked for positions that require deep, specialized knowledge, as they may not be perceived as ‘investment-worthy’ for such roles,” he adds.

However, it’s essential to recognize that a Swiss knife employee’s broad skill set can also be a significant advantage. “Their ability to quickly adapt to new situations, learn new skills, and collaborate effectively with diverse teams can make them highly valuable assets to organizations,” Farrugia adds.

On the other hand, this wider spread of knowledge, often extending to soft skills and people skills, leads them to become extremely successful leaders.

“Even from personal experience (I have led tech, education, healthcare, and entertainment businesses as a CEO without any of the technical skills in those domains), I know that the best conductors of the orchestra are not the most accomplished single-instrument players. Indeed, the role of the CEO is to surround themselves with those people who are better than them in specific domains,” he says.

Organizations can help these individuals reach their full potential by recognizing the value of their broad skill set and providing opportunities for specialized training and development.

According to Morris, Swiss knife employees run the risk of burnout. “In lean structures, especially for mid-managers who balance strategic and operational roles with minimal support, burnout isn’t just a risk; it’s a reality for many in today’s workforce. Employees asked to juggle multiple roles are especially vulnerable to stress and exhaustion,” adds Morris.

WELLNESS OF SWISS KNIFE EMPLOYEES

Organizations must define boundaries and expectations to ensure the well-being of Swiss knife employees and maximize their potential.

“Organizations need to be proactive. They can significantly reduce burnout by fostering a supportive, sustainable environment and focusing on four aspects: mental health, flexible working arrangements, defining roles and workloads to avoid overlap, and providing regular check-ins and feedback, which can help managers gauge workloads and resolve issues before they escalate,” says Morris.

Effective communication from the outset is vital.

“When organizations commit to supporting their employees, they build resilience into their structure,” Morris says.

IMPACT ON CORPORATE CULTURE 

The Swiss knife employee trend will reshape job markets and fuel economic growth by fostering a more agile and adaptable workforce.

“As job roles evolve alongside advancements in AI and automation, adaptability will become the new competitive edge. Employees with a diverse skill set will be well-positioned to take on new, more complex roles while certain responsibilities are automated,” says Morris.

Adapting and learning new skills will be crucial for job security and career advancement. As technology evolves, individuals who can quickly acquire new competencies will be in high demand.

“During economic downturns and budgetary constraints, companies often prioritize retaining employees with the greatest value. This frequently translates to individuals with versatile skill sets who can assume multiple roles,” Morris adds. 

Swiss knife employees contribute to a more stable job market by encouraging career mobility and enabling companies to fill skill gaps with minimal hiring.

Moreover, a workforce composed of versatile individuals can enhance organizational resilience and agility. Companies with employees who can pivot between different roles can respond more effectively to changing market conditions and unexpected challenges.

“This trend aligns with the UAE’s economic vision of diversification, as multi-skilled employees can contribute to growth across various sectors, particularly SMEs,” she adds. “By creating opportunities for learning and upskilling, these individuals can drive economic growth and innovation. Lifelong learning is emerging as a cornerstone of economic prosperity, and Swiss knife employees are at the forefront of this trend.”

According to Farrugia, a group of Swiss Knife people in a team may lack the identity that gives them the platform to shine, as they are all multidisciplinary individuals with no specific area of competence. “This may create a dynamic of collaboration and sharing; however, it may not lead to high performance. Humans thrive when they are challenged, and when they can align their personal goals with the overall goals of their team or organization.” 

He recommends a balance between individualism and team play is critical for success. 

Ultimately, the rise of the Swiss knife employee signals a shift toward a more dynamic and flexible workforce. By embracing lifelong learning and cultivating a diverse skill set, individuals can position themselves for success in the ever-evolving job market.