Retaining employees involves many factors, from salary and rewards to flexible work environments and a healthy work culture.

The latest Employee Loyalty in the MENA survey by Bayt and YouGov found considerable stability within the workforce; 55% of survey participants report having been with their current companies for a tenure extending beyond four years. 

This stability is paralleled by workplace satisfaction, as nearly three out of five employees indicate satisfaction with their current employers. Results depict that 33% of current employees are “very loyal” to their organizations, with 23% feeling “somewhat loyal.”

However, the sense of loyalty is not without its challenges. The survey highlights that 48% of respondents note a prominent reason for employees not feeling entirely loyal as a lack of trust in their organization’s management. Following closely, 39% point to lack of job security as a concern impacting their allegiance.

The survey also found that 54% of employees said that basic salary plays a huge role in their jobs, followed by employee-job fit at 36% and additional benefits at 32%.

While 60% of the respondents said employers should focus on increased recognition and rewards, 52% are more concerned with career development and growth. At the same time, 50% believe that regular discussion forums could help address employee concerns.

Zafar Shah, account director at YouGov, said, “As the data suggests, employees who feel valued through fair compensation, job fit, and career opportunities are more inclined to feel more engaged in their workplace. This sense of belonging and purpose distinguishes highly loyal employees from the rest.”

The perceived benefits of fostering a high degree of employee loyalty are diverse, including the enhancement of work quality (74%), the willingness of employees to go the extra mile (67%), and a spread of positive word-of-mouth about the company (65%). 

Ola Haddad, general manager at Bayt, said, “Our survey reveals a powerful correlation between trust in leadership and employee allegiance. As workplaces strive for excellence, it becomes increasingly clear that management’s transparency and recognition of their workforce’s contributions are the cornerstone of building a loyal and engaged team.”

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