UAE issues circular to set out plan for new working week

Earlier this month the UAE announced that it was breaking away from the traditional Friday/Saturday weekend for public sector employees, aligning itself with much of the rest of the world and boosting its status as a global business hub.

The UAE also revealed its intention to become the only country in the world to adopt a 4 1/2-day week, for federal government staff.

In its circular, FAHR clarified that the official working week for federal government employees will run from Monday until Friday from 7.30am until 3.30pm daily, except Friday when working hours will last until midday.

FAHR also urged the federal authorities to abide by the new system and benefit from the flexibility it offers, “provided that this flexibility does not contradict with the work requirements and comes within the official working hours”, said a statement carried by the state news agency WAM.

The circular added that federal authorities can activate remote working system on some jobs, “provided that they coordinate with FAHR before implementing this system”.

FAHR confirmed that it has updated the information management system in federal government (Bayanati) to cope with the new working system and that it is ready to address any issues it may face in its implementation.

Half of companies operating in the UAE have said they are looking to adopt the new shift in weekend, according to the results of a business pulse survey from Aon Middle East.

However, while there appears to be general acceptance of a Saturday/Sunday weekend, firms said it was “too early to say” whether they would be moving to a four-and-a-half day week.

Back in 2006, when the UAE switched its weekend to Friday and Saturday (from Thursday and Friday), it was quickly followed by Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC, but this time might be different because there are sensitivities about Friday being a day of prayer.