Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has introduced the “Our Flexible Summer” initiative—starting August 12 until September 30, 2024—to trial a 7‑hour workday, 4‑day workweek (with Fridays off) in 15 government entities.
Objectives & Motivation
- Ease the impact of intense summer heat (often exceeding 40 °C) on employee well-being.
- Boost work–life balance, employee productivity, and quality of life, supporting Dubai’s 2033 Quality of Life Strategy.
- Conserve energy within public-sector facilities.
Pilot Details
- Daily work hours reduced to 7 hours.
- Pilot operates over four days weekly, with Fridays off.
- Applicable in 15 government agencies from Aug 12–Sept 30, 2024.
- Roll‑out based on survey results; DGHR will gather feedback to assess productivity, morale, and feasibility.
Regional & Global Context
- Follows UAE’s broader trend: federal government moved from 4.5 days in 2021, and Sharjah adopted a 4-day week in 2022.
- Seen as a potential catalyst for GCC-wide adoption, with private-sector firms and neighboring emirates watching closely.
- Global parallels exist in Iceland, UK, Spain, where four-day week trials led to higher productivity and lower stress.
Early Insights & Challenges
- Experts predict a gradual expansion: banks and other sectors may follow Dubai’s lead after initial pilots .
- Potential challenges include ensuring consistent productivity, sector-specific adaptability (e.g., tourism, finance), and alignment with client‑facing operations.
- Comparable private-sector pilots in the UAE—like e& (formerly Etisalat)—show technology firms embracing a three-day weekend model with maintained pay.
What Happens Next?
- DGHR will evaluate pilot outcomes via surveys and productivity metrics.
- Their findings will inform whether to extend or standardize the 4-day summer week across more entities or years.
- Many expect this move to spark broader shifts in both public and private sectors across the UAE and GCC.
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