Could Dubai be introducing a four-day work week?

Our Summer Is Flexible is being trialled for government employees.

Sharjah has one. Belgium has one. Could Dubai be getting one? We are talking about a four-day work week. The Dubai government has announced a trial, which sees work suspended on a Friday. Running from 12 August to 30 September, it is part of the Our Summer Is Flexible programme for government employees.

After staff were asked to fill out a survey on summer working hours, the request to cut office hours in August and September proved popular. The Dubai Government Human Resources Department has introduced the scheme, which aims to enhance the work-life balance for employees. Under the scheme, working hours will be reduced to seven per day.

Dubai Government Human Resources Department stated: “The proposal garnered exceptional support through the survey, indicating an openness to changes that will promote work-life balance and the well-being of employees”. Following the trial, the department will assess if it was effective, and if it should be implemented across other government entities.

Abdullah Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, explained: “We aim to improve the quality of life of employees and enhance the sustainability of government resources, which ultimately contributes to consolidating Dubai’s global position as a preferred city for living and working by providing a new model experience that integrates the elements of quality of life.”

In 2022, Sharjah introduced a four-day work week, and in 2023, the UAE government introduced a four-and-a-half-day workweek.

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