Dubai has introduced a four-day working week and reduced hours for public sector workers, Time Out reported.
It follows a successful initial trial scheme first introduced in 2024 for those working for government entities.
Set to begin on Tuesday July 1, the 2025 ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative will run until Friday September 12.
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department has implemented a reduced summer schedule to allow workers a greater work-life balance.
The pilot phase of the initiative was implemented across 21 government entities in Dubai and was found to improve overall employee satisfaction and happiness among workers, in addition to enhanced productivity and an improved work environment.
The trial expands on last year’s trial period, which ran from August until the end of September and was only applicable to 15 different government entities.
Government employees across 21 entities will be divided into two different groups. The working hours will align with the official five-day week for the public sector.
The first group will work eight-hour days from Monday until Thursday and get Friday off. And the second group will work seven-hour days from Monday until Thursday, and work for four-and-a-half hours on Friday.
The expanded initiative aligns with the ongoing ‘Year of Community‘ in the United Arab Emirates.
The Dubai summer working schedule aims to boost employee satisfaction and productivity while also strengthening family ties during the seasonal school break.
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said the initiative builds on the successes of last year’s pilot phase.
He said, “This initiative demonstrates our firm commitment to enhancing the government work environment, making it more adaptable and responsive to the needs of employees and the community.
“The implementation of this year’s expanded edition, builds on the successful outcomes of the 2024 pilot phase. It reflects a comprehensive vision aimed at developing an advanced government system that balances institutional efficiency with human well-being.
“This supports Dubai’s aspirations to lead in delivering flexible, sustainable, and people-centric government services.”
A similar policy is not in place for private sector workers, but there have been calls from the Dubai and UAE governments to introduce more remote working and flexible hours across the board.
A Dubai government survey released in November 2024 found that flexible hours and remote work would significantly reduce road traffic at peak hours on Dubai’s busiest roads.
And a UAE government white paper released in January outlined the many benefits of a flexible remote working policy for private and public entities in the country.
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