Dubai to test 4-day work week

DUBAI: The Emerati state is going to test a four-day work week with reduced hours for government employees this summer.

As many as 15 government organisations would implement a seven-hour workday from August 12 to September 30, with Fridays off, as part of a pilot programme called ‘Our Summer is Flexible’.

The initiative, launched by the Dubai government’s Human Resources Department, aims to improve employee performance and quality of life.

Feedback from staff surveys showed strong support for shorter summer hours. The department will monitor the programme and provide recommendations on whether it should become a permanent summer policy.

This move follows Sharjah’s four-day work week introduced in 2022 and aligns with the UAE’s broader shift to shorter workweeks.