Remote work has redefined the workplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), opening doors to global job opportunities and giving companies access to a wider talent pool. Startups in Dubai can now hire developers from Cairo, and fintech firms in Riyadh can work seamlessly with designers in Beirut. The world is more connected than ever, but behind the flexibility and innovation, there’s an often-overlooked downside, the mental health toll of working across multiple time zones.
While businesses celebrate the efficiency of remote teams, employees often find themselves caught in a cycle of exhaustion, loneliness, and burnout. With MENA positioned between Europe, Asia, and the Americas, many professionals find themselves constantly adjusting their work hours, juggling early morning or late-night meetings, and struggling to maintain a work-life balance. The reality of time zone misalignment is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a growing mental health crisis.
A 2022 study by McKinsey across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries found that 66% of the 4,000 employees interviewed reported experiencing mental health challenges, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Research by Prithwiraj Choudhury, the Lumry Family Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, indicates that remote employees working in different time zones often stretch beyond their typical schedules to connect with colleagues in real-time. This need to communicate after hours can lead to increased stress and challenges in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Furthermore, a report by the Integrated Benefits Institute analyzed data from the Household Pulse Survey and found that fully remote (40%) and hybrid work (38%) are associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to in-person work (35%).
These findings underscore the importance of addressing the mental health challenges associated with remote work across time zones, particularly in regions like MENA where professionals often navigate complex time zone differences.
The Exhaustion of Being Always On
A major challenge for remote workers in MENA is the blurred boundary between personal and professional time. Many find themselves trapped in a never-ending cycle of availability, feeling obligated to answer messages at all hours because their colleagues in the U.S. or Asia are just starting their workday. The pressure to always be online leads to sleep deprivation, chronic stress, and an overwhelming sense of fatigue.
Research from the World Health Organization highlights that overwork and irregular sleep patterns significantly increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular diseases. Many remote workers in MENA, especially those collaborating with teams across vastly different time zones, report feeling permanently drained. The idea of setting boundaries sounds great in theory, but in reality, missing a meeting or delaying responses often feels like jeopardizing career growth.
The Loneliness Paradox
Despite working with teams across the globe, remote workers in MENA often experience deep isolation. Unlike traditional office spaces where spontaneous interactions and social connections happen naturally, remote work can be solitary, especially for those working odd hours to accommodate time zone differences.
Studies show that loneliness at work can lead to decreased motivation, reduced job satisfaction, and even lower productivity. For professionals in MENA who already face unique cultural and economic pressures, this isolation can be even more intense. Team bonding activities and casual check-ins are often scheduled during times that don’t align with their work hours, leaving them feeling excluded from important conversations. The irony is clear—in a world more connected than ever, remote workers can feel more disconnected than before.
Productivity vs. Well-Being
Many companies celebrate the productivity boost that comes with remote work, but at what cost? MENA-based remote workers frequently have to stretch their workdays beyond healthy limits, struggling to balance meetings with teams in Europe in the morning and colleagues in the U.S. late at night. The constant switching between different work schedules takes a mental toll, leading to burnout and decreased focus.
Research from the International Labour Organization suggests that remote workers who lack structured work hours face higher stress levels than those in traditional office settings. Many professionals in MENA’s growing startup ecosystem feel the need to prove their dedication by working beyond their capacity, but studies show that prolonged overwork actually reduces efficiency rather than boosting it.
The Future of Remote Work in MENA
While remote work isn’t going anywhere, companies need to rethink how they support employees across different time zones. The solution isn’t just about reducing meetings or offering flexible schedules, it’s about creating a work culture that prioritizes mental health as much as performance.
For MENA’s tech ecosystem, this means embracing asynchronous work, setting realistic expectations for availability, and ensuring that employees aren’t penalized for maintaining work-life balance. It also requires organizations to foster a sense of belonging, regardless of where an employee is located, by scheduling team interactions that accommodate different time zones and encouraging a culture of inclusion.
Remote work has transformed how we do business, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of mental well-being. The conversation around mental health in MENA’s tech sector is just beginning, and it’s time for companies to recognize that sustainable success means taking care of the people who make innovation possible.
