Dubai's four day week explained: Why people are working less in the emirate

Time Out Dubai

18-06-2025

A four day week is being introduced in Dubai later this year.
Public sector workers will enjoy two-and-a-half months of long weekends as the emirate introduces a reduced schedule during the hot summer months.
The 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative, launched by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, will start on Tuesday July 1 and run until Friday September 12 in the emirate.
Workers at every government entity in Dubai will have a reduced schedule during the summer months as part of plans to enhance the work-life balance for employees.
The summer working hours schedule follows a trial run last year, which saw employees at 21 government entities work less.
It was found that 98 percent of people who participated in the trial experienced an increase in employee satisfaction and happiness.
A four day week has been announced for Dubai government workers (Credit: Adobe Express)
And assessments under the Dubai Government Excellence Programme found that the performance of participants had clearly improved.
The 2025 summer schedule aims to strengthen family ties during the school holidays and improve overall well-being.
Government entities will be split into two groups during the summer.
One group will work for eight hours per day between Monday and Thursday before enjoying Friday as a full holiday.
And the second group will work seven hours per day from Monday to Thursday and work for four-and-a-half hours on Friday.
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Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, says the initiative is the latest to place the wellbeing of people at the heart of it.
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.'
And, while the four day week, only applies to Dubai's public sector, there have been encouraging signs that a reduced schedule and flexible hours could be introduced across the board.
In November 2024, the RTA revealed that flexible hours and remote working could be a solution to Dubai's notorious traffic problems.
And in January, a government white paper argued the case for remote working and a hybrid model to be introduced in the UAE.
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