In a significant step toward enhancing work-life balance and employee satisfaction, Dubai has announced a 4-day work week for public sector employees starting July 1, 2025. This initiative, which follows a successful pilot phase in 2024, will continue until September 12, 2025, and is part of the ongoing “Our Flexible Summer” program. The new working schedule aims to improve productivity, employee happiness, and strengthen family connections during the summer months.
The 2025 “Our Flexible Summer” initiative will see a reduced workweek across 21 government entities in Dubai. The key feature of this new schedule is the shift to a 4-day workweek, with some employees working reduced hours on Fridays.
Work schedule breakdown:
Group 1: Employees will work 8-hour days from Monday to Thursday and have Friday off.
Group 2: Employees will work 7-hour days from Monday to Thursday, with a reduced 4.5-hour workday on Friday.
This flexible schedule is designed to promote a healthier work-life balance, especially during the summer months when many employees seek more time for family and personal activities.
The expanded pilot, which builds on last year’s successful trial across 15 government entities, has already shown positive results. The initiative is expected to further enhance productivity and improve the overall work environment. Key benefits include:
Improved employee satisfaction: Employees report greater happiness and work-life balance with a 4-day work week.
Increased productivity: A more flexible schedule has led to more efficient workdays and improved focus.
Stronger family ties: With more time available for family activities, employees can strengthen their relationships, especially during the school break.
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, highlighted that this initiative supports Dubai's broader vision of balancing institutional efficiency with human well-being. It’s part of Dubai's efforts to become a leader in delivering flexible, sustainable, and people-centric government services.
Al Falasi added:
“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to enhancing the government work environment, making it more adaptable and responsive to the needs of employees and the community.”
While this program currently applies to public sector employees, there have been discussions and growing support for introducing similar flexible schedules across the private sector.
Benefits for the broader workforce:
Reduced traffic: A Dubai government survey in 2024 suggested that flexible hours and remote work would alleviate traffic congestion on the city's busiest roads.
Remote work policies: A white paper released in January 2025 proposed expanding remote working options for both private and public sector workers in the UAE, emphasizing the benefits of flexibility for productivity and quality of life.
Currently, private sector workers are not included in the 4-day workweek policy. However, the UAE government has been advocating for more remote work and flexible working arrangements, signaling a potential future shift for the private sector.
Dubai’s initiative to introduce a 4-day workweek for public sector employees reflects a growing global trend toward more flexible, people-centric work policies. With a focus on improving work-life balance, productivity, and employee well-being, this move positions Dubai as a leader in progressive work practices.
As the country moves towards a more flexible future, this initiative could pave the way for further changes in the private sector, encouraging a broader adoption of flexible work hours and remote work policies across the UAE.
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