Starting July 1, according to recently introduced flexible working regulations, employees of the UAE federal government will have the opportunity to transition to a four-day workweek.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has announced that full-time employees can opt for a four-day workweek provided they complete 40 hours per week as part of the intensive working hours program.
Aligned with the We the UAE 2031 Vision, the plan also allows for remote working, both in and outside of the country and to cover temporary and part-time jobs.
What are the updated working hours for the UAE federal workers?
To qualify for a three-day weekend, government employees must work 40 hours per week, no more than 10 hours per day.
The transition to a three-day weekend for certain workers aligns with the UAE’s objective of implementing more flexible and streamlined employment regulations.
With this shift, the UAE has become the first country in the world to officially move to a work week that is less than the traditional five days. The province of Sharjah has gone one further and adopted a 4-day week model back in January 2022, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off.
Official data indicates that after implementing a four-day workweek in Sharjah, the number of road accidents and fatalities in the emirate has decreased by 40% within a span of eight months.
Officials also revealed that there has also been a significant boost in government employee productivity. Employees working in departments that have shifted to a Friday to Sunday weekend schedule have reported improved health and well-being, increased happiness, and the ability to spend more quality time with their families.
The study also found that employees were able to spend more time participating in social events, exercising, taking part in their hobbies, pursuing their education, and working on their private commercial projects.
