Dubai Will Trial A 4-Day Work Week for Public Employees

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Dubai will trial a four-day working week with shorter daily hours for many government employees this summer.

From August 12 to September 30, work will be suspended on Fridays, and the workday will be reduced to seven hours for 15 government organizations.

This initiative, called "Our Summer is Flexible," is part of a pilot scheme launched by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department to enhance employee performance and quality of life.

Employees were surveyed about summer working hours, and the proposals to reduce office time in August and September received significant support, according to state news agency Wam.

The human resources department will monitor feedback to submit final recommendations on whether this pilot scheme should become a long-term policy for future summers.

Sharjah introduced a four-day working week in 2022 after the UAE government switched to a four-and-a-half day week earlier that year.

The largest trial of a four-day working week occurred in the UK in 2022. Most of the 61 companies involved continued with the policy, and a third adopted it permanently. None of the 2,900 trial participants wanted to return to a five-day week, with all companies reporting lower stress and better employee health.

Wednesday's announcement supports a directive by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, aiming to make Dubai the world’s best city to live in.

In May, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, approved the Quality of Life Strategy, which includes increasing beach cycling tracks by 300%, extending night swimming beaches by 60%, and designating new beaches for women.

Abdullah Al Falasi, director general of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said: “We aim to improve the quality of life for employees and enhance the sustainability of government resources, ultimately contributing 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.”