Latest news with #OurFlexibleSummer
Mid East Info
01-07-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
As part of its efforts to enhance efficiency of government work Dubai Government Human Resources Department organises 2nd Human Resources Forum of 2025 to discuss emerging trends in work patterns and
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department DGHR hosted the second edition of its 'Human Resource Forum of 2025', under the theme 'New Work Patterns and Their Impact on the Future of Human Resources,' to explore the evolving dynamics of the workplace. The event congregated leading experts and specialists from Dubai's government entities. Aligned with the launch of the 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative, which will run from July 1 to September 12, 2025, the forum gathered general managers, executives, department heads, and HR professionals to explore emerging trends in work patterns and support Dubai's broader HR strategy. It also reinforced DGHR's dedication to fostering future-ready government capabilities and promoting adaptive, sustainable, future-focused work models that enhance institutional efficiency in response to global workforce transformations and enhance efficiency. H.E. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said: 'This forum marks a significant step in our journey toward future readiness, highlighting the importance of responsive policies that align with global labour markets. It provides a strategic platform to examine emerging trends in workplaces and their impact on government performance, ensuring our institutions remain agile, resilient, and capable of nurturing national talent for the future.' H.E. added: 'In today's rapidly evolving landscape, building flexible, tech-driven work environments has become imperative to sustain institutional performance and elevate government services. At DGHR, we are focused on enabling government entities to embrace innovative work models that not only improve productivity but also enrich the employee experience. We are creating environments that foster innovation, creativity, and excellence, an effort that aligns with our leadership's vision of investing in human capital to ensure sustainable development. This investment remains fundamental to Dubai's global economic leadership and its role as the benchmark for human capital development.' The forum's program featured a range of presentations by distinguished local and international speakers. This included Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki, President of University of Dubai, presenting 'The Future of HR in an Era of Flexibility'; H.E. Dr. Nabil Al Youssef, CEO of International Advisory Group and 'Gov Campus,' exploring 'Future Work Skills in the AI Age'; and Mr. Tom Flynn from Whiteshield examined 'New Work Patterns and Their HR Future Impact'. These sessions concluded with a panel discussion on HR best practices, featuring insights from key government leaders, including Amna Al Suwaidi (DGHR), Dr. Yousif El-Ghalayini (Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government), and Colonel Dr. Ahmad Alshehhi Dubai Police GHQ. The forum also addressed the challenges government entities face amid evolving work models and showcased strategic approaches for developing agile, digitally-driven HR frameworks. These strategies are designed to improve employee engagement, accelerate digital transformation, and ensure long-term institutional resilience. In addition, the forum reinforced the Dubai government's dedication to creating flexible workplaces that enhance employee well-being, elevate institutional performance, and promote societal stability. This commitment aligns closely with the principles of the 'Year of Community,' which are participation, humanity, and social cohesion. The forum is one of the key knowledge initiatives launched by DGHR under the Dubai Government Flexibility Initiative, aimed at fostering the exchange of knowledge and expertise among government entities. It supports the development of HR policies that strengthen institutional performance and cultivate a skilled, adaptable workforce equipped to navigate future challenges.
What's On
01-07-2025
- Business
- What's On
6 big changes coming into effect in the UAE this July - What's On
It's a new month, and with it comes a fresh set of updates for UAE residents. Whether you're planning a trip, adjusting your workday, or just navigating life in the heat, these rule and regulation changes taking effect in July are worth knowing about. Visa-free travel to Armenia UAE citizens and residents can now travel visa-free to Armenia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The policy came into effect on July 1, making it easier than ever to explore this mountainous, culture-rich neighbour — no paperwork, no embassy visits, just book and go. Flexible summer hours in Dubai & remote Fridays in Ajman The 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative is back in Dubai, encouraging private sector companies to adopt lighter working hours from July 1 to September 12. Employees can opt to begin their workday between 7am and 8:30am, and wrap up any time between 2:30pm and 5pm, depending on their start time — perfect for avoiding the worst of the heat. Meanwhile in Ajman, government employees can now work remotely on Fridays throughout the summer, offering a welcome breather before the weekend. Midday work ban continues From 12:30pm to 3pm daily, all outdoor work remains suspended until September 15. This nationwide rule is part of the UAE's labour safety strategy, protecting workers during the hottest hours of the day. Legal sale of tobacco-free nicotine pouches Starting July 29, nicotine pouches — a tobacco-free, smokeless product — will be legally available under UAE health regulations. Expect clear labelling, age restrictions, and tight retail controls as these products hit the shelves. Emiratisation targets enforced From July 1, private sector companies with 50+ employees must ensure at least 1% of their skilled workforce are Emiratis. Firms that fall short face fines, as the government continues to push local workforce integration. School's out Dubai private schools broke for summer on June 30, with classes resuming around August 26. Expect packed summer camps, indoor attractions, and family outings to be in full swing across the emirates. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Time of India
27-06-2025
- 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
27-06-2025
- 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.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major city announces four-day work week shift
Dubai has announced a four-day work week and shorter working hours for all its public sector workers. It's the latest major global city to embrace the move towards a shorter working week in a bid to improve work-life balance for workers, with many companies in Australia also jumping on the trend. The temporary change will run from July 1 until September 12, 2025, as part of the government's 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative. It follows a successful initial trial scheme in 2024, which found improved productivity and employee satisfaction. Government employees will be split into two groups. The first group will work for eight hours from Monday until Thursday and get Friday off. The second group will work for seven hours from Monday until Thursday, and work four-and-a-half hours on Friday. RELATED Major 'roadblock' to Australia ushering in a four-day work week revealed Centrelink $836 cash boost for 'very real' truth facing thousands of Aussies ATO issues July 1 warning to Aussies waiting on $1,500 tax refunds Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said the government was aiming to balance institutional efficiency and workers' wellbeing. '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 said. While the policy won't apply to private sector workers, there have been calls from the Dubai and UAE governments to bring in more remote and flexible hours across the April, Tokyo implemented a four-day work week for metropolitan government employees in a bid to boost record-low fertility rates. Some 200 companies across the United Kingdom have also permanently implemented a four-day work week following trials with 4 Day Week Foundation. That included charities, marketing, technology, IT and software, and consulting firms. In Australia, high-profile companies like Medibank and Bunnings have trialled the change. Companies will commonly implement a 100:80:100 model, where employees keep 100 per cent of their pay, have their work hours reduced to 80 per cent, but have to maintain 100 per cent of their productivity. Thrive Nation chief disruptor Christian Miran told Yahoo Finance Australian companies were 'ready' for the shift. The work revolution architect previously worked at Medibank and led the insurer's four-day work week trial. 'Australia is really prime for this now. This is the next wave of understanding of how we could be more productive,' he said. Recent research conducted by Swinburne University of Technology involved interviews with 10 Australian firms that had adopted the 100:80:100 model. It found the potential for positive outcomes from employers and employees. Workers reported having better work-life balance and more time for life admin, hobbies, exercise, wellness and self-care. Bosses, on the other hand, cited productivity gains, reduced sick days and significant improvements in recruitment and retention rates. Researchers noted there were still doubts over productivity and output being maintained. It also noted there could be costs associated with in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
