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Not 6 or 5, Dubai To Have A 4-Day Working Week With The ‘Our Summer Is Flexible’ Campaign

Dubai embraces flexibility with a new work week.

by Deeplata Garde
Not 6 or 5, Dubai To Have A 4-Day Working Week With The ‘Our Summer Is Flexible’ Campaign

Dubai authorities have just dropped a bombshell,  and it’s a good one! Starting August 12, 2024, the Dubai Government Human Resources Department will pilot the ‘Our Summer is Flexible’ initiative. This initiative aims to give government employees a refreshing break by reducing working hours to 4-Day work Week in Dubai and eliminating work on Fridays.

Dubai Announces A Reduced New Work Schedule

The initiative involves 15 government entities participating in this trial. From August 12 to September 30, 2024, working hours will be trimmed to a breezy seven hours daily. Fridays? Completely off. This means government workers can now enjoy longer weekends, giving them more time to relax, recharge, and maybe even finally finish that book they’ve been reading for months.

Why The Change And Productivity Concerns

The main goal is to enhance the flexibility of the work environment. While this trial currently only applies to the public sector, private sector employees are crossing their fingers, hoping that this trend catches on. After all, who wouldn’t want an extra day off every week?

Of course, the big question on everyone’s mind is: what about productivity? Companies often worry that fewer hours might lead to less work being done. However, there’s some reassuring news. A study in Iceland from 2015 to 2019 showed that reducing work hours had little to no negative impact on productivity. In fact, in some cases, productivity even improved! Dubai authorities will be closely watching to see if these results hold in their sunny city.

A Look At Sharjah’s Success

B Rani Man
Pic credits: X/sharjahmedia

Interestingly, Sharjah has been enjoying a four-day work week since January 2022. Government employees there have been relishing their extended weekends, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. The decision came after a study by the Sharjah Executive Council and directives from His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Also Read: People Of Determination Can Avail Free Parking In Sharjah; Here’s How The Process Works

A Step Toward Better Work-Life Balance

This pilot initiative in Dubai is a bold step towards improving work-life balance for government employees. If successful, it could pave the way for broader adoption, potentially transforming the work culture in the UAE. As we watch this unfold, many of us can’t help but dream of a future where a four-day workweek becomes the norm.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Stock Images

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