Dubai experiments with four-day week for government employees
A pilot program at 15 Dubai government agencies will see work suspended on Fridays and working days reduced to seven hours
The Dubai skyline featuring the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the world's tallest building. (Photo: Getty Images)
Dubai is taking advantage of the quieter summer time to experiment with a four-day work week and shorter office hours in an effort to promote better work-life balance.
“Our Summer is Flexible,” a pilot scheme at 15 Dubai government organizations, will see work suspended on Fridays and working days reduced to seven hours between Aug.12 – Sept. 30.
HR departments will gather feedback on the program and make recommendations on whether it should continue.
Dubai is not the first emirate to try out the idea, which is gaining popularity around the world.
Sharjah introduced a four-day work week in 2022 in order to maintain Friday, a holy day in Islam, as a full day off after the UAE government switched to a western weekend with a half-day on Fridays.