Yesterday, it was declared that the federal government employees of the UAE can now apply to work a four-day workweek starting from July 1, 2023.
However, the Federal Authority for Human Resources rejected any changes to the working hours, stating that ” the executive regulations of the Human Resources Law pertain to the introduction of new employment schedules and types of work.”
What are the five new work types?
According to Khaleej Times, the five different work types for federal government employees are listed below:
- On-site work
- Remote work within the country
- Remote work from outside the country
- Intensive working hours ( compressed four-day worksheet)
- Hybrid work
All the work mentioned above is subject to approval from the employer starting from July 1, 2023.
How can employees get a four-day workweek?
Full-time employees can apply for a four-day workweek only when they complete 40 working hours a week, under the condition of working no more than 10 hours a day, and their employer mutually agrees.
Last year, the UAE government moved to a four-and-a-half day workweek, half day on Fridays, with flexible working hours and work-from-home options on Fridays.
Moreover, Sharjah went one step ahead and implemented a four-day work week in January 2022, with holidays on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
What about the private sector?
Private companies in the UAE are not required to follow government hours, so it’s unlikely that we will get an official declaration changing the working days of the private sector. However, with the last changes to the workweek, Dr. Abdul Rahman Abdul Mannan Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, requested private sector companies to follow suit.
When is the next public holiday?
The following public holiday in the UAE in 2023 is two holidays together: Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. First is Arafat Day, which falls on Dhul Hijjah 9. This is anticipated to be on Tuesday, June 27, but still, it depends on the sighting of the moon closer to the time.
The next day after Arafat Day is the start of Eid Al Adha. It is the second and the larger of the two holidays celebrated in Islam. It falls on Dhul Hijjah from 10 to 12, which is anticipated to correspond from Wednesday, June 28 to Friday, June 30. Aligned with Rafat Day, we will have a long six-day weekend ( for those of us who usually have a two-day weekend).
