Ever feel like you're banging your head against a "productivity" wall? Saudi employees know how you feel

Employees in Saudi Arabia are hitting a “productivity wall” as only six out of 10 employees believe they have the necessary tools and resources to achieve performance and even fewer feel they have access to the training needed for them to be productive, The Global Workforce Survey 2013 (GWS) conducted by Towers Watson revealed.

Additionally, a quarter of Saudi employees need to overcome substantial obstacles to complete their task and only 51 percent feel they have their supervisors’ support on such scenarios, the study noted. 

The GWS also revealed that less than 40 percent of employees in the Kingdom feel their ideas and suggestions are sought in the organization and that organizations act on the feedback given by employees. The study showcased the difference in thinking among employees and their managers. 

On one hand, the managers believe that they are able to give enough recognition to employees for their work while, on the other hand, employees think the reverse — which leads to communication gaps.

The Pulse Survey, another recent study conducted by Towers Watson, also showed that Saudi Arabia will experience an average of 3.6 percent increase in salary budget in 2014, with technology and pharmaceuticals as the highest sectors, at 4.3 percent of projected increase. Additionally, examiners observed an increase of 6 percent in housing allowance adjustment from 2013 to 2014.    

Against this backdrop, Towers Watson — a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, risk and financial management – will expand its services in the Middle East by opening a new office in Riyadh next month. With over 20 years experience in the region,  Towers Watson aims to address the growing needs of human capital services in KSA, which currently makes up for 60 percent of its business requirements. 

Dr. Ahmad Waarie, Managing Director of Towers Watson, said: “We are very excited about this expansion as Saudi Arabia is one of the largest growing economies in the world and there is a strong need and will to operate at the highest international standards. We at Towers Watson will work with our partners to help them achieve this.”

Towers Watson will meet the growing demand by providing Talent & Rewards services, Investment Consultancy, Risk & Financial Services and Benefits & Retirement solutions to various industries, such as: Oil & Gas, Telecom, Finance, Healthcare, Construction, Government/Public Sector, as well as family owned conglomerates. 

“As the Saudi market rapidly expands with substantial investment in manufacturing, construction, professional services, healthcare and education, the requirement to attract and retain key talents has become critical. 

Organizations in both the private and public sectors are looking for major re-organization requiring holistic, integrated solutions covering organization design, workforce planning, talent management, reward, employee engagement, change management and communication. 

In essence they want better corporate governance, focus and clarity around roles plus a highly skilled, energised workforce,” said Jim Matthewman, Lead Consultant at Towers Watson.

Towers Watson has had a long standing relationship with its clients, offering qualified training and performance management services through its on the ground bi-lingual consultants.