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Specifically, from January 1, 2022 onwards, working hours for employees in the UAE will be from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Thursday, with Friday hours from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM. This means that weekend days off will be from after 12:00 PM on Friday until the end of Sunday.
According to an announcement from the UAE Media Office on Twitter, this change will ensure "longer weekends to increase productivity and improve work-life balance." In the UAE, weekends typically begin on Thursday evening and end on Saturday evening, with workers starting their work week on Sunday.
A predominantly Muslim country like the UAE typically holds weekly Friday prayers. The government has announced that it will fix the prayer time to after 1:15 PM on Fridays, starting with the new policy. Furthermore, employees will be given the flexibility to choose between working in the office or working remotely on Fridays.
The new policy applies to all government agencies in the UAE; however, it remains unclear whether private companies in the region will adopt this new work week from next year. - Photo: Internet
Previously, Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Japan, New Zealand, and Sweden had announced plans to pilot a four-day work week. Trials in New Zealand, Iceland, and Japan have shown improved living conditions for workers and increased productivity under the new system.
