Captura de pantalla 2026-06-07 a las 6.56.08 p. m..png

Healthy, engaged employees are your organization’s greatest asset.

Disengagement and poor wellbeing can cost organizations
the equivalent of 31–44% of payroll.

Companies lose millions annually due to factors that extend far beyond base salaries. Presenteeism, absenteeism, employee turnover, and health-related issues directly impact organizational productivity and profitability.

When employees show up but underperform.

Up to 10x more costly than absenteeism, 57.5 days vs 4 days

Presenteeism is one of the largest hidden costs of burnout in UAE workplaces.

Research suggests that presenteeism can cost employers up to 10 times more than absenteeism, with employees working while impaired for an average of 57.5 days per year, compared to just 4 days of sickness absence.

In the UAE, nearly 22% of residents report experiencing unmanageable levels of stress, while long commutes and extended working hours further amplify the negative impact on productivity, team performance, and workload distribution.

As a result, presenteeism can cost organisations between 14% and 18% of their total payroll expenses.

HR Grapevine - Presenteeism costs firms billions says HBR

Summarizes the HBR finding with more recent context; a solid secondary source for the "10x" figure...

Arabian Business - UAE employees among the most stressed in the world (Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey

Backs the 22% of UAE residents reporting "unmanageable" stress, per the Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey (2019), a recognized global insurer...

Harvard Business Review
Presenteeism: At Work, But Out of It

The main Harvard Business Review study by Paul Hemp that originates the "presenteeism costs more than absenteeism" comparison and the $150 billion/year...

When absence becomes one of the most visible costs of poor employee wellbeing.

AED 5,560 vs AED 3,596 global average, 53% MENA moderate-to-high, 8-12% of payroll)

Absenteeism is one of the most visible costs of poor employee wellbeing in UAE workplaces.

In the UAE, the average cost of employee absence is approximately AED 5,560 per employee per year, significantly higher than the global average of AED 3,596.

Across the MENA region, 53% of employees report that absenteeism in their workplace is moderate to high, often driven by burnout, chronic stress, and unmanaged physical or mental health conditions.

For employers, this translates into operational disruption, increased overtime expenses, reduced productivity, and additional pressure on team members who must absorb the workload.

As a result, absenteeism can cost organisations between 8% and 12% of their total payroll expenses.

Bayt.com — Absenteeism in the Workplace in the Middle East & North Africa

Original source of the AED 5,560 vs AED 3,596 figure and the 11.5 days average absence in the UAE vs 8.8 days globally...

LinkedIn — The Cost of Absenteeism in UAE: Strategies for Effective Absence Management

Article that summarizes and contextualizes the Bayt.com report's data...

When burnout starts impacting healthcare costs.

Insurance premiums up 20.9% YoY to Dhs31.3bn in 2024, medical inflation ~9-12.5%, 4-6% of payroll

Poor employee wellbeing doesn't just affect performance, it directly impacts healthcare expenditure.

Burnout, chronic stress, and mental health challenges contribute to increased healthcare utilisation, placing additional financial pressure on employers.

Corporate health insurance costs in the UAE increased from AED 1 million in 2010 to AED 1.6 million in 2015, with premiums continuing to rise as mental health coverage becomes more comprehensive.

With mandatory health insurance now extended across all Emirates, employers are increasingly responsible for managing the long-term financial impact of stress-related health conditions and healthcare claims.

Beyond insurance premiums, poor workforce health often leads to higher medical claims, longer recovery periods, and reduced workforce resilience.

As a result, healthcare and mental health-related costs can account for between 4% and 6% of total payroll expenses.

Gulf Business — Rising health insurance premiums in the UAE: what you need to know now
Cites Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) figures: premiums up 20.9% YoY to Dhs31.3bn in 2024, with medical inflation of 9-12.5%...

Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government — Workplace Wellbeing Report (2024)
Reputable Emirati academic institution; estimates mental health costs UAE businesses close to AED 4 billion annually in lost productivity. A stronger, more "name-brand" alternative for this card...

Khaleej Times — Gross written premiums increased by 31.2% Y-o-Y in H1 2024 to Dh35.7 billion: CBUAE
Direct Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) data — the most official and verifiable figure available...

When your best people decide to leave.

USD 2.7bn/year in the UAE, AED 15,180 replacement cost, 5-8% of payroll

Employee turnover is one of the most expensive consequences of burnout and disengagement.

When burned-out employees walk out the door, replacing them comes at a significant cost. Staff turnover costs UAE businesses an estimated USD 2.7 billion annually, with an average replacement cost of AED 15,180 per employee, before accounting for lost productivity during onboarding and ramp-up periods.

Across the GCC, attrition in technology and data-related roles is projected to reach 25-35% by 2026, placing additional pressure on organisations to continuously recruit, train, and retain talent in an increasingly competitive market.

As a result, turnover and recruitment costs can consume between 5% and 8% of total payroll expenses each year.

Arabian Business — Staff turnover costs UAE firms $2.7bn a year — expert
Source of the USD 2.7bn/AED 9.9bn annual figure, based on Bayt.com and YouGov Siraj data...

vbeyond — Strategic Horizon 2026: The GCC Labor Market Transformation ReportSource of the "25-35% attrition in tech/data roles by 2026" figure — see ambiguity note below...