The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a shift in working hours on Tuesday, moving to a new four-and-a-half-day week
The government has decided to make Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday the new weekend, according to a post by WAM English, the UAE‘ official news agency.
The changes to the working week system also include new official working hours. Public sector employees will be expected to work from 7:30am to 3:30pm from Monday to Thursday (8 hours) and until 12:00pm on Fridays (4.5 hours).
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All federal government offices will switch to the new weekend from January 1, 2022,” the official news agency claimed.
Key characteristics of new UAE policy
New method to apply in federal government institutions
8 working hours a day on Monday to Thursday from 7:30am to 3:30pm
4.5 working hours on Friday from 7:30am to 12:00pm
Friday sermons and prayers will be performed after 1:15pm all year round in UAE
Possibility of flexible working hours and work-from-home alternatives on Fridays
Longer weekends can promote productivity and improve work-life balance
Starting from 1st of January, 2022