The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has decided to improve the work-life balance of its employees by allowing four-day workweek starting 1 July 2025. The summer working hours have been reduced under Dubai’s ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative that aims to enhance employee well-being and improve productivity. The initiative will be spread over the period 1 July to 12 September, 2025.
The reduced working hours have already been tested last year during a pilot programme. The objective of DGHR is to improve the work environment for government employees during the hot summer months. With school also on a break, this initiative gives employees more time to spend with their families.
While this flexi work policy will be enjoyed by all employees of Dubai government, the work schedule will depend on the group an employee is included in. Group 1 will comprise employees who work eight hours a day from Monday to Thursday, with Friday off, for a total of 32 hours. Group 2 will comprise employees who work seven hours a day from Monday to Thursday and 4.5 hours on Friday, putting in a total of 32.5 hours a week.
The Government of Dubai is endeavouring to increase efficiency even while upholding its commitment to being a people-centric government that prioritises employee well-being.
This flexible work hours programme is in line with the UAE’s ‘Year of Community’, which is dedicated to strengthening family ties and improving social well-being on the whole.
It remains to be seen whether the private sector will also be inspired to bring about similar changes in work hours.
