DUBAI: The Dubai Government Human Resources Department confirmed that this year’s ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative will run from Tuesday, July 1 to Friday, September 12, covering all government entities across the emirate.

The policy follows a successful trial launched in 2024 across 21 government departments. The pilot was found to significantly improve employee satisfaction, productivity, and the overall workplace environment.

The new schedule divides government employees into two groups. One group will work eight-hour shifts from Monday to Thursday, enjoying a full day off on Friday. The second group will adopt a slightly shorter week—working seven hours Monday through Thursday and just four and a half hours on Friday.

Launched under the banner of the UAE’s ‘Year of Community’, the initiative seeks to strengthen family ties, especially during the school summer break, while also reducing road traffic and supporting mental well-being.

Although the change currently applies only to the public sector, Dubai authorities have urged the private sector to adopt more remote and flexible working options. A government survey in late 2024 showed that flexible hours could ease congestion on major roads, while a white paper released earlier this year highlighted multiple benefits of remote work across both public and private sectors.

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