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UAE Is Adopting A Four-And-A-Half-Day Workweek With Saturdays And Sundays Off!

by Tania Tarafdar
UAE Is Adopting A Four-And-A-Half-Day Workweek With Saturdays And Sundays Off!

While the rest of the world typically enjoys workday offs on Saturdays and Sundays, the residents of UAE enjoyed weekends on Fridays and Saturdays. However, this system is soon going to change as the federal government of the UAE has announced some major changes in the workweek. UAE is now all set to adopt a four-and-a-half-day workweek with Saturday and Sundays off!

UAE Is Looking At Four-And-A-Half-Days Work Week

The workforce will have to report to work for eight hours from Monday to Thursday and Friday will be a half-day for them. While these new rules were announced for government workers, there were no specific instructions related to the private sector. All Federal government departments will move to the new weekend that is, Saturday and Sunday. from January 1, 2022.

Also read: Dubai Announces Smart System That Renew Emiratis’ Passports Automatically

Friday Will Be A Half-Day

As the UAE transitions to a four-and-a-half-day working week, workers are directed to report to work at 7.30 am from Monday to Thursday and from 7.30 am to midday on Friday. And while Friday will be a half-day, there is also the possibility of flexible working and work-from-home options on Fridays. Now, Friday sermons and prayers will be held at 1.15 pm throughout the year. The UAE Government Media Office said in a tweet, “The new long weekend will “boost productivity and improve work-life balance.”

Here’s everything that we know so far:

  • 8 hours working day from Monday to Thursday (7:30 am to 3:30 pm)
  • 4.5 hours working hours on Fridays from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm

Also read: UAE Announces New Law That Grants Citizenship For Non Emiratis

The government hopes that long weekends will boost productivity and improve work-life balance and we could not agree more!

First Published: December 07, 2021 2:22 PM