In a very brief time, Saudi Arabia has changed from a local to an international business place and, as a result, the country has become an attractive place for professionals from all over the globe. Those who relocate to the kingdom or take up assignments there for their career growth must absolutely be familiar with the way the local workplace operates.

When one adjusts to Saudi customs, one indirectly communicates to others that he/she is trustworthy, allows room for lesser misunderstandings, and creates a strong professional image.

Why Workplace Etiquette Matters

Workplace etiquette represents the minimum standard of behaviour that society expects beyond just politeness. In essence, it confirms that one is a member of a culture that may be disparate but still identifies hospitality and respect as its fundamental values. Showing good manners at Saudi offices will allow professional workers:

• Develop both your personal and professional relationships with people of the same and higher rank over the long term
• Experiment with working in a different culture and learn how to gain the confidence and trust of your coworkers of different cultural backgrounds.
• Achieve career growth in the industries that are getting more competitive

Key Rules for Success

1. Respect for Culture and Religion:

Islam forms the core of everyday life, and through its teachings, it has a strong impact on the way people live and on the rules at the workplace. Always be alert to the prayer timings that require five prayers daily, show respect during the prayers that are being conducted, and under no circumstances should you arrange any meetings at these times.

When it is the holy month of Ramadan, you should refrain from eating or drinking at the common areas of the office and, at the same time, maintain your modesty in terms of clothing by wearing a suit or a thobe if you are a male, and for females, clothes with covered arms and legs which are not too tight and most probably an abaya for the formal look.

2. Greetings and Communication

While initiating any communication, greet with “Salam Alaikum” and reply with “Wa Alaikum Salam”. When it comes to physical gestures, men do handshakes lightly and may continue for a longer time than the Western tradition.

Also, you should always allow the other person to hand the control over to them. In addition, employ respectful and business-like forms of address, like “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” or “Engineer,” and make sure that the manner of speech in correspondence via email and WhatsApp is not only polite but also suitable for a formal business setting.

3. Hierarchy and Authority

Saudi companies typically have a very well-defined organisational structure. The two concepts of seniority and age hold a lot of value in society. When you find yourself in a conversation with top executives, you should begin by addressing them politely, not engaging in a heated debate, and showing some tolerance, as the process of making decisions could be much slower than that of other nations.

4. Punctuality and Time

Arrive on time for all your meetings; it is acceptable to be late, but you cannot call the timekeeping good. Typically, meetings begin with a friendly chat and some politeness, e.g., Arabic coffee and dates. It might be considered impolite to address your issue immediately.

5. Relationships at Work

Work relationships rely largely on trust and faithfulness. Socialising beyond the office environment, for instance, sharing meals is a usual and essential activity. Accept offers, return favours; steer clear of sensitive issues like politics and religion unless you know your co-workers well.

6. Gender Etiquette

Involvement of women is quite noticeable in different fields. However, the mode of communication between the female and male counterparts is typically formal and polite. Only if the woman is the one to take the initiative would a handshake be performed, while such types of events as gender-segregated meetings would happen, although their frequency is quite low.

7. Dress Code

Workwear in international business offices is mostly business suits, while the dress of men in traditional style (white thobe, ghutra) is quite expected by the local companies. The females should maintain modesty in style; their arms and legs should be covered, and quite often, an abaya as well.

8. Digital Communication

The same principles apply to your behaviour in messaging services as with e-mails: be polite and professional. In addition, be prudent: don’t send messages during break time when you are supposed to not be doing the work; don’t send messages at 2:00 a.m. or other late hours when people are sleeping. Have an excellent work ethic when you are using WhatsApp as a means of work communication.

Navigating Multicultural Teams

While Saudi companies are going global, workers are repeatedly facing the situation where they have to work together with nationals of different countries. The skill of identifying and acknowledging these varied views is basic.

In the Saudi professional world, these methods are now becoming more and more popular. They include an open and honest communication style, determining what is expected at the beginning of a relationship, and showing a willingness to learn about other cultures.

Besides avoiding misunderstandings, these behaviours also foster a positive, collaborative team that, due to the globalisation of the workforce, is getting more and more diverse in terms of cultures.

Do’s and Don’ts for Saudi Workplaces

Do’s:

• Use an appropriate greeting while talking to the co-workers.
• Be dressed appropriately, with modesty and professionalism.
• Be patient and cooperative.
• Show that you consider prayer times and religious customs
• It is advisable to say “yes” to offers of meals or meetings with no hesitation.

Don’ts

• Ramadan is the month during which you should not eat or drink in front of people who are fasting.
• Do not involve yourself directly in business negotiations. Put effort into developing relationships instead.
• Do not criticise publicly; you are allowed to give feedback privately.
• Do not overlook seniority or hierarchy

In Conclusion

Understanding and proper conduct in a job in Saudi Arabia primarily align with the rules and regulations, while also involving participation in the thriving business culture and building a good reputation. International employees are coming to the Saudi Arabian market all the time, and those who adopt the local customs and build good relationships will consolidate their professional careers over time.

If you require personalised HR assistance and need a specialised recruitment plan, we at 6 Pence cater to foreign companies and professionals who want to enter the Saudi market without any hassle. We make sure that each new employee is briefed about workplace etiquette.

Also Read: What is SCE