By Fuhad Saneen | June 17, 2025
Dubai has unveiled a revamped summer work schedule for government employees, introducing a four-day workweek and shorter hours to promote better work-life balance.
Following the success of a pilot program in 2024, this year’s initiative—called ‘Our Flexible Summer’—will officially roll out from Tuesday, July 1, and run through Friday, September 12. The scheme is being led by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, aiming to foster improved employee well-being and productivity.
The previous trial, which involved 15 government departments and ran from August to late September last year, delivered positive outcomes in terms of employee satisfaction and overall workplace performance. Building on that, the 2025 program has now expanded to include 21 public sector entities.
How the Summer Work Hours Are Structured
Government staff participating in the program will be divided into two schedules:
Group 1: Works eight hours daily from Monday to Thursday, with Friday off completely.
Group 2: Works seven hours daily from Monday to Thursday, and a half-day (4.5 hours) on Friday.
This model aligns with the UAE’s ongoing ‘Year of Community’ efforts, encouraging stronger family connections during the school holiday period and further supporting employee happiness initiatives.
Purpose and Vision
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, emphasized the importance of this flexible model in shaping a forward-thinking, employee-centric government culture.
“Our aim is to build a responsive and adaptive work environment that meets the evolving needs of both our employees and the wider community,” Al Falasi said.
“This year’s expansion reflects Dubai’s commitment to setting global benchmarks in flexible and sustainable government operations.”
What About the Private Sector?
At present, the flexible work model is exclusive to public sector staff. However, recent developments suggest growing momentum for similar policies across the private sector.
A 2024 Dubai government survey indicated that wider adoption of remote and flexible work options could significantly ease peak-time traffic congestion across major roads. Additionally, a UAE white paper published in January 2025 highlighted the numerous benefits of hybrid and remote work models, especially in boosting efficiency and employee well-being.
As the UAE continues to lead with people-focused governance, initiatives like this could pave the way for broader reforms in how work is approached across all sectors in the region.
