Latest news with #AbdullahAlibinZayedAlFalasi
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Dubai launches citywide 4 day work week for government employees: Will the private sector follow?
Dubai government employees will enjoy a four-day work week starting July 1, 2025. The 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative aims to boost work-life balance. This follows a successful pilot program in 2024. Employees will be divided into two groups with slightly different schedules. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi says this reflects Dubai's commitment to employee well-being. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Dubai's 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative? Who is eligible for the 4 day week in Dubai? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is Dubai implementing a 4-day work week? What about private sector workers? This Islamic New Year brings a summer gift to government employees in Dubai , a rare perk that a tiny percentage of people enjoy worldwide. Starting July 1, 2025, government employees in Dubai will shift to a four-day work week or reduced summer hours under the 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative. The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) launches this to improve work-life balance and productivity, and it will run until September 12, flexible work hour announcement is followed by a successful pilot program launched in 2024. This announcement comes amid a global wave of interest in four-day work and companies in countries like Japan, the UK, Iceland, Australia, and Canada have already implemented or piloted reduced working hours, with many reporting improvements in employee retention, mental health, and overall initiative, introduced by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR), is to create a better work environment for public sector employees during the summer the reduced working hours, employee well-being increases, productivity increases, and workers can spend more time with their families, especially during the school year's pilot involved 21 government entities and reportedly led to higher levels of employee satisfaction, happiness, and flexible work policy applies to all employees of Dubai government entities. However, the work schedules will vary slightly, depending on which group an employee is placed employees will be divided into two groups with the following options:In Group 1, employees work from Monday to Thursday for 8 hours daily, with Friday off, for a total of 32 work 2nd Group works 7 hours per day from Monday to Thursday and 4.5 hours on Friday, for a total of 32.5 hours per to Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of DGHR, the move reflects Dubai's ongoing commitment to creating a people-centric government that balances institutional efficiency with employee well-being.'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,' he initiative also aligns with the UAE's 'Year of Community', which aims to reinforce family ties and overall social the 4-day work week and reduced hours apply only to public sector employees. However, there is growing support for expanding flexible work policies to the private a white paper released in January and a government survey, Dubai officials pointed out that broader adoption of remote work and flexible hours could help ease traffic congestion and improve there are no signs of the government officially introducing an immediate remote working policy or reduced working hours, this suggests the government's preference for such a policy if it is implemented in the study also found that a hybrid model, which combines a centralized workplace with a work-from-home option, enhances productivity, inclusivity, and employee it revealed that companies adopting a remote work policy can attract a broader pool of candidates, including those with at-home caregiving responsibilities or individuals limited by their proximity to an office.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
This major city has ditched the five-day work week — employee happiness increases
Another major city is introducing a four-day week for thousands of workers, with the shorter work week movement continuing to grow globally. Within a matter of days, employees in Dubai's public sector will be enjoying three-day weekends and reduced working hours as part of the city's 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative. Advertisement Kicking off on July 1 and running until September 12, the reduced summer schedule introduced by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) aims to allow workers more flexibility and access to greater work-life balance. 3 Employees in Dubai's public sector will be enjoying three-day weekends and reduced working hours as part of the city's 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative. Naypong Studio – As part of the scheme, public sector employees will be divided and put onto two separate flexible working schedules. Those in group one will work Monday to Thursday for 8 hours a day and have Fridays off. Advertisement Those in group two will also work Monday to Thursday but only for 7 hours a day and will work 4.5 hour days on Fridays. The government decided to roll out the change to all employees following a successful pilot phase last year which was found to have improved overall employee satisfaction and happiness, along with increased productivity. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of DGHR, said the policy reflected the government's overall vision to create a modern workforce that prioritizes work-life balance. 'This isn't just a shift in working hours — it's a reflection of the government's evolving mindset. We are prioritizing employee wellbeing alongside institutional efficiency,' he said. Advertisement '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.' 3 The government decided to roll out the change to all employees following a successful pilot phase last year. Dan Dalton/KOTO – Al Falasi said the expanded edition of the previous four-day week trial builds on the successful outcomes seen last year. He said the move supports Dubai's aspirations to be a leader in delivering 'flexible, sustainable, and people-centric government services.' Advertisement The change comes amid an increasing number of four-day week changes and trials other flexible working systems across the world. Australia, Japan, the UK, Canada, Ireland, the US and Iceland are just some of the nations that have been experimenting with reduced working hours. One of the common ways that companies implement a four-day week is by using the 100:80:100 model, in which staff keep 100% of their pay but have their work hours reduced to 80%. However, they must maintain 100% of their productivity in order for the change to work. Other options include allowing staff to work a shorter week but for less pay, or offering standard 40 hour weeks condensed over four days. In April, amended laws were introduced in Japan requiring companies to offer flexible work options for employees with young children, such as reduced working hours or remote work, in a bid to reverse the country's rapidly declining birthrate. As a result, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, one of the country's largest employers with over 160,000 workers, announced it would be introducing a four-day work week. Advertisement 'We will continue to review work styles flexibly to ensure that women do not have to sacrifice their careers due to life events such as childbirth or child-rearing,' Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, said at the time of the announcement. 3 However, they must maintain 100% of their productivity in order for the change to work. aFotostock – 'Empowering women, a goal that has lagged far behind the rest of the world, has been a longstanding issue in our country.' Earlier this year, it was announced that 200 companies across the United Kingdom, comprising a total of more than 5000 employees, had now changed their policies to allow staff to work four days a week, with the same pay and no requirement for longer working days. Advertisement The shortened week movement has also been gaining traction in Australia. In the past few years there has been a sharp rise in companies adopting the new working model, with Medibank and Bunnings among the major Australian brands that have begun trialing the change. Speaking to earlier this year, Swinburne's Associate Professor John Hopkins believes that this is a trend we can expect to see continue to rise throughout 2025, both here and overseas. Advertisement 'Many companies who have tried it have experienced some great results – significant improvements in recruitment and retention, lower absenteeism, and even increased productivity – which will no doubt encourage other firms to try it and see if they can achieve similar gains,' he said. This is also backed up by data, with recent research from recruiter Robert Half revealing just over a third of Australian companies surveyed expect their organization will transition to a four-day work week within the next five years.
Time Out Dubai
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
Dubai's four day week explained: Why people are working less in the emirate
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. The new season is nearly here 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. You might also like: UAE public holidays: Every long weekend to look forward to in 2025 The dates to know 22 pictures that show how much Dubai has changed from the 1950s to today Take a look at these unrecognisable photos of the city 112 best things to do in Dubai in 2025 Everything to tick off your Dubai bucket list
Hi Dubai
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai to Implement ‘Our Flexible Summer' Initiative Across All Government Entities
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has announced the rollout of the 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative across all Dubai Government entities from July 1 to September 12, 2025, following the success of its 2024 pilot. The program aims to enhance work-life balance, increase productivity, and strengthen family ties among government employees. The initiative's pilot phase involved 21 government entities and resulted in significant improvements. Employee satisfaction rose to 98%, while productivity and work environment quality saw measurable gains. Evaluations under the Dubai Government Excellence Programme also highlighted performance improvements within participating entities. Aligned with the 'Year of Community,' the expanded initiative allows each government entity to tailor the flexible work arrangements to their needs. Employees will be split into two groups: one working eight hours from Monday to Thursday with Friday off, and another working seven hours Monday to Thursday plus 4.5 hours on Friday, maintaining the official five-day workweek. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, DGHR Director-General, emphasized the initiative's alignment with Dubai's strategic vision. 'Our Flexible Summer reflects our commitment to placing people at the center of government policies,' he said. 'It fosters a supportive work environment that balances institutional efficiency with employee well-being, advancing Dubai's goal of delivering flexible, sustainable, and people-focused government services.' The initiative is a clear move toward a modern government workplace that prioritizes flexibility and employee satisfaction while sustaining high institutional performance. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hi Dubai
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
DGHR Partners with Dubai AI Campus to Future-Proof Workforce
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has signed a strategic agreement with Dubai AI Campus, a DIFC initiative, to train over 10,000 individuals in artificial intelligence by 2030. The move is part of a broader effort to equip public and private sector talent with the skills needed to navigate and lead in a fast-evolving digital landscape. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to strengthen human capital through specialized training programs, hands-on projects, and mentorship opportunities focused on real-world applications of AI. The initiative aligns with Dubai's ambition to become a global technology hub and supports the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) in building a sustainable knowledge economy. 'This collaboration marks a pivotal step in empowering our workforce with skills to drive digital transformation,' said Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of DGHR. He emphasized that investing in human capital is essential to maintaining Dubai's competitive edge and long-term development. Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, echoed this vision, stating that a future-ready workforce is key to the emirate's innovation and growth. 'By fostering cross-sector partnerships, we are creating the foundations for long-term prosperity,' he said. One of the flagship initiatives under the agreement is the 'AI for Civil Service' programme, which focuses on generative AI training for government employees. Participants will be required to pitch innovative ideas evaluated by experts from DIFC, Udacity, and the private sector. The agreement also includes plans for advanced workshops, research publications, and support for local tech events—all aimed at enhancing institutional performance and reinforcing Dubai's position as a leader in digital transformation. News Source: Emirates News Agency
