Business & Investments

UAE Employers Expand Benefits Packages with Will Planning, Wellness Support and Flexible Work Options

Employers across the UAE are increasingly enhancing employee benefits packages with financial planning services, mental health support, flexible working arrangements, wellness allowances, and structured learning opportunities as organisations look beyond salary increases to attract and retain top talent.

Industry experts say the shift comes as salary growth remains modest, averaging around four per cent, prompting companies to focus on benefits that strengthen employee wellbeing, financial security, and long-term engagement.

According to HR professionals, the competition for talent has evolved significantly in recent years. While salary increments remain important, employers are now prioritising comprehensive benefits that address employees’ personal and professional needs.

Sanjeev Giri, Head of Sales and Operations at Adecco UAE, noted that organisations can no longer rely solely on pay increases to retain employees. Instead, companies are introducing initiatives that build trust and provide meaningful support throughout an employee’s career journey.

These benefits increasingly include mental health programmes, hybrid and flexible working models, wellness allowances, professional development budgets, and financial wellbeing solutions. The growing adoption of workplace savings schemes has also enabled employers to offer alternatives to traditional end-of-service gratuity arrangements, allowing employees’ funds to be invested and potentially generate long-term returns.

A notable emerging trend is the inclusion of succession planning and will-drafting support within employee benefit programmes. While currently more common among larger organisations and companies operating within financial centres such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), these services are gaining traction as employers seek to address the unique concerns of the UAE’s expatriate workforce.

Many expatriate employees have established long-term roots in the UAE through property ownership, family commitments, and business investments, increasing the importance of legal preparedness and estate planning.

Legal advisory firms report a growing demand from corporate clients seeking employee-focused succession planning initiatives. Human resources and people-and-culture teams are increasingly recognising the need to educate employees on inheritance laws, guardianship matters, asset protection, and estate management.

Mohammad Marria, CEO and Founder of Just Wills Legal Consultants, said employee benefits are evolving beyond immediate healthcare and insurance needs to include long-term financial and legal planning. He noted that both employers and employees are becoming more aware of the importance of succession planning in a market where inheritance regulations can be complex, particularly for expatriates.

The trend reflects a broader transformation in workplace expectations, with employees placing greater value on benefits that contribute to overall wellbeing, financial stability, and future security. As organisations compete for skilled professionals, comprehensive employee support programmes are increasingly becoming a key differentiator in the UAE’s evolving labour market.