Saudi Arabia Workplace Culture Guide: Etiquette, Customs & Business Norms

Understanding Saudi Arabia Workplace Culture

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a historic transformation under Vision 2030, fundamentally reshaping its workplace culture. What was once one of the most conservative business environments in the Gulf is rapidly modernizing, with entertainment, tourism, sports, and technology sectors emerging alongside traditional oil and gas. Yet the Kingdom retains a deep-rooted Islamic identity that shapes professional interactions, decision-making, and daily business life in ways that every expat must understand.

Saudi business culture revolves around trust, personal relationships, and respect for hierarchy. The Arabic concept of wasta (influence through connections) remains a powerful force in commerce and hiring. Patience is not optional here — it is the foundation of every successful business relationship. Professionals who invest in understanding Saudi customs will find a generous, loyal, and rewarding market to work in.

Work Week and Hours

Standard Work Week

Saudi Arabia operates on a Sunday-to-Thursday work week. The official weekend is Friday and Saturday, with Friday holding special religious significance as the day of Jumu'ah (Friday prayer). Government offices typically operate from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, while the private sector generally works from 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, with a break for Dhuhr (midday) prayer.

The Saudi Labor Law caps regular working hours at 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. Overtime is compensated at 150% of the hourly rate. In practice, working hours can vary significantly by sector. Banking and finance professionals in Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) may work longer hours during deal cycles, while government roles tend to follow strict schedules. The retail sector has different rules, with shifts up to 12 hours during peak seasons, though total weekly hours remain capped.

Ramadan Working Hours

During Ramadan, Saudi labor law mandates a reduction of working hours to 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week for all employees, including non-Muslims. Most offices shift to a 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM schedule. Government services operate with significantly reduced hours, and public-facing businesses may close entirely during midday.

Ramadan transforms the Saudi business rhythm profoundly. Nighttime becomes the active period — malls, restaurants, and social venues are bustling after iftar until well past midnight. Many business meetings and networking events move to evening hours. Suhoor gatherings (pre-dawn meals) are also used for business relationship building. The entire month demands patience and schedule flexibility from non-fasting professionals.

Business Dress Code

Saudi Arabia has historically maintained the most conservative dress code in the GCC, though this is evolving, particularly in Riyadh's modern business districts. General expectations include:

• Men in corporate settings: Business suits in dark, conservative colors are standard. Ties are expected in banking, government, and formal meetings. In tech hubs and creative industries, smart casual is increasingly acceptable. Saudi male colleagues will typically wear the thobe (white robe) with ghutra (headscarf) — this is formal business attire in the Kingdom.
• Women in corporate settings: The requirement for women to wear an abaya in public was significantly relaxed in 2019. In corporate offices, particularly in Riyadh, NEOM, and multinational companies, modest Western business attire is now widely accepted. However, clothing should cover arms to the wrist and legs to the ankle. Headscarves are no longer legally required for non-Saudi women in most settings, though some conservative environments still expect them.
• Casual industries: Tech companies, startups in the Riyadh Front and Boulevard areas, and entertainment sector firms tend toward smart casual. However, it is always safer to overdress for initial meetings and adjust based on observed norms.

Dress code expectations are evolving rapidly as Saudi Arabia opens to international culture. What was unthinkable five years ago — a woman without an abaya in a Riyadh coffee shop — is now commonplace. Nevertheless, modesty remains important in all professional contexts.

Meeting Culture and Communication

Relationship-First Approach

Saudi business culture is deeply relationship-oriented. The first meeting with a Saudi counterpart is almost never about business — it is about getting to know one another. Expect conversations about family, health, recent travels, and mutual acquaintances. Arabic coffee (qahwa) and dates are served as a gesture of hospitality, and declining them is considered impolite.

The concept of majlis — a gathering or sitting — is central to Saudi professional life. Many significant business decisions are discussed informally in majlis settings rather than in formal boardrooms. Being invited to a majlis is a sign of trust and inclusion. These gatherings follow a protocol: greet the host first, then the most senior person, moving clockwise around the room.

Hierarchy and Decision-Making

Saudi organizations are strongly hierarchical. The most senior person in the room drives decisions, and subordinates rarely challenge authority publicly. Family-owned businesses — which dominate the Saudi private sector — concentrate decision-making power at the top. Expect multiple rounds of meetings before a decision is reached, as senior leadership reviews recommendations from various levels.

Government-related projects require navigating bureaucratic hierarchies that can be slow-moving. The phrase "Inshallah" (God willing) is used frequently and should not be interpreted as evasion — it reflects a genuine cultural belief in divine authority over outcomes. Patience and persistence, combined with relationship maintenance, are key to navigating this landscape.

Communication Style

Communication in Saudi Arabia is high-context and indirect. Negative responses are rarely delivered bluntly. "We will study this further" often means "no." Public disagreement or confrontation is deeply inappropriate and can permanently damage a business relationship. Face-saving (hifz al-wajh) is paramount in Saudi culture — criticism must always be delivered privately and diplomatically.

Arabic is the primary language of government and many local companies, though English is widely used in multinational corporations and the private sector. Business correspondence with government entities is typically in Arabic. Having key documents translated and working with bilingual colleagues is essential for government-facing work.

Public Holidays and Leave

Saudi Arabia observes the following public holidays, with Islamic holiday dates varying based on the lunar calendar and official royal decree:

• Founding Day: February 22
• Eid Al Fitr: 4 days (end of Ramadan, dates vary)
• Eid Al Adha: 4 days (dates vary, combined with Arafat Day)
• Saudi National Day: September 23

Annual leave entitlement under Saudi labor law is 21 days for employees with less than 5 years of service, increasing to 30 days after 5 years. Many companies offer additional leave days as part of competitive packages. Friday is the holy day and is always a day off, with Saturday completing the weekend.

Gender Dynamics in the Workplace

Saudi Arabia has undergone the most dramatic shift in gender workplace dynamics of any GCC nation. Before 2017, women were barred from driving and required male guardian permission for most activities. Today, women constitute over 33% of the Saudi workforce, exceeding the Vision 2030 target ahead of schedule. Women serve as ambassadors, CEOs, deputy ministers, and pilots.

Practical workplace considerations include:

• Mixed-gender workplaces are now standard in most private sector companies. Segregated work environments still exist in some government entities and conservative businesses.
• Handshakes between men and women are increasingly common in corporate settings, but follow the other person's lead — some individuals prefer to place their hand over their heart as a greeting instead.
• The Entertainment Authority, sports sector, and tourism industry actively recruit women into roles that were entirely male-dominated just a few years ago.
• Women's participation in the workforce is strongly encouraged through government subsidies and Saudization quotas that count Saudi women as part of nationalization requirements.

Networking and Relationship Building

Professional networking in Saudi Arabia blends formal events with deeply personal relationship cultivation. Major conferences like LEAP (technology), Future Investment Initiative (FII), and Hajj & Umrah Conference draw global leaders and create networking opportunities. Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season events combine entertainment with business networking in modern venue formats.

Informal networking is perhaps even more critical. Shisha lounges, coffee shops, and private dinners are where trust is deepened. Golf is emerging as a networking tool following the PGA-LIV Golf developments. For non-Saudi professionals, being introduced through a trusted mutual connection (waseet) significantly accelerates relationship building. Cold outreach, while possible on LinkedIn, is far less effective than warm introductions.

Insider Guide: Navigating Cultural Sensitivities

Ramadan Etiquette — The Complete Guide

Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is observed more strictly than in any other GCC country. The religious police (Hay'a) no longer enforce Ramadan regulations as they once did, but social expectations remain strong. Here is what every professional must know:

• Eating and drinking: Non-Muslims are legally permitted to eat and drink in private during Ramadan, but must never do so publicly. Unlike the UAE, which has designated non-fasting areas in malls, Saudi Arabia expects complete public observance. Eating at your desk behind a closed door is generally acceptable in multinational offices, but verify your company's specific policy.
• Work rhythm: The first two weeks of Ramadan see significantly reduced productivity across all sectors. Government offices may process applications slowly. Schedule critical deadlines and project milestones outside of Ramadan where possible.
• Iftar networking: Corporate iftar events are the premier networking opportunities of the year in Saudi Arabia. Companies host lavish iftar gatherings for clients, partners, and stakeholders. Receiving an invitation is a sign of relationship importance. Arrive on time, and observe the brief prayer that precedes the meal.
• Eid preparation: The last week of Ramadan is focused on Eid Al Fitr preparation. Expect offices to empty early and decisions to be deferred until after the Eid holiday. Stock up on approvals before this period.

Building Trust with Saudi Stakeholders

Trust-building in Saudi business culture follows a deliberate and unrushed path:

1. Introduction through wasta: Having a respected mutual connection introduce you is the single most effective way to open doors in Saudi Arabia. Invest heavily in building relationships with well-connected individuals who can serve as your waseet (intermediary).
2. Consistency over time: Saudi businesspeople observe how you conduct yourself across multiple interactions before extending trust. Follow through on every commitment, arrive on time (or call ahead if delayed), and demonstrate genuine interest in their culture and family.
3. Generosity and hospitality: When hosting Saudi partners, invest in quality hospitality — premium dining, comfortable meeting spaces, and thoughtful gifts. Reciprocating their generosity signals that you value the relationship, not just the transaction.
4. Religious awareness: Scheduling meetings around prayer times (five daily prayers lasting 15-20 minutes each) shows respect. Never schedule meetings during Friday prayer (approximately 12:00-1:30 PM). Acknowledging Islamic holidays and sending appropriate greetings deepens rapport.

Common Cultural Mistakes to Avoid

• Discussing politics or religion: The Saudi government, royal family, and Islam are not appropriate discussion topics in business settings. Even seemingly neutral observations can be perceived as criticism and severely damage relationships.
• Showing impatience: Saudi decision-making moves at its own pace. Pushing for faster timelines, sending follow-up emails too frequently, or expressing frustration at delays is counterproductive and may be seen as disrespectful.
• Physical contact: While handshakes between men are firm and lingering (a sign of warmth), avoid physical contact with Saudi women unless they initiate it. A nod or hand on the heart is the safe default greeting.
• Alcohol references: Saudi Arabia strictly prohibits alcohol. Never reference drinking, offer alcohol-related gifts, or suggest meeting at venues associated with alcohol consumption in other countries.
• Showing soles of feet: As across the Arab world, showing the soles of your shoes toward another person is deeply offensive. Keep both feet on the floor during formal meetings.
• Photographing people: Never photograph Saudi nationals, especially women, without explicit permission. In some contexts, photography of government buildings or military installations is illegal.