Dubai brings back 4-day work week

Dubai brings back 4-day work week

Thousands of Dubai government employees will enjoy more flexibility at work this summer, with some eligible for a three-day weekend under the emirate's renewed "Our Flexible Summer" initiative starting June 29. The programme, launched by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR), will run until September 10 and introduces reduced working hours and flexible scheduling options aimed at enhancing employee well-being while ensuring uninterrupted government services.

Two flexible work models

Under the summer initiative, government entities can choose between two work arrangements based on operational needs. The first model allows employees to work eight hours a day from Monday to Thursday and take Friday off, effectively creating a four-day work week. The second model requires employees to work seven hours a day from Monday to Thursday and four-and-a-half hours on Friday, resulting in shorter working hours throughout the week. Government departments may also implement remote work options and flexible schedules where suitable.

Focus on work-life balance

Officials said the initiative was developed after considering employee feedback and changing workplace expectations, particularly during the summer months when family commitments increase. The programme aims to provide employees with more time for their families, improve overall well-being and strengthen social and family ties without compromising productivity or service delivery. According to the DGHR, the initiative aligns with Dubai's broader vision of creating human-centric and future-ready workplaces that prioritise quality of life alongside institutional performance.

Employee well-being boosts productivity: Official

Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said the initiative has demonstrated that employee well-being and organisational performance go hand in hand. "The 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative has demonstrated that employee well-being and quality of life do not come at the expense of performance. On the contrary, they are among the key enablers of institutional success and long-term sustainability," he said. Al Falasi added that the programme reflects Dubai's commitment to developing more flexible, attractive and future-ready government work environments while enhancing employee experience.

Third year of implementation

The 2026 programme marks the third consecutive year of the summer flexibility initiative after similar schemes were introduced in 2024 and 2025. The move is part of a wider trend towards flexible working arrangements in the UAE. Sharjah adopted a four-day work week in 2022, while the UAE federal government shifted to a four-and-a-half-day work week the same year. Globally, trials of four-day work weeks have also gained momentum. A major UK pilot involving 61 companies reported improved employee well-being, lower stress levels and strong support for continuing the model, with several firms adopting it permanently. Dubai officials say the latest initiative reinforces the emirate's ambition to build a more agile, adaptable and people-focused government while maintaining high standards of public service.