Ahead of UAE’s new workweek in the public sector, a number of private companies in the country have announced their adoption of the 4.5-day working week beginning January 1.
This, as the federal agencies across the emirates all gear up to ring in the year 2022 with Saturday-Sunday weekend, which is aimed at aligning the economy with the global market and bring work-life balance for its workforce.
Among these companies who have announced to join the workweek shift starting next month include the following: Danube Group; flydubai; Lulu financial Holdings; Galadari Brothers; Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group (ESAG); Rouya Consultancy in Sharjah; among others.
Under the UAE’s new workweek timetable, Monday-Thursday work hours are set from 7.30am-3.30pm (8 hours), and Friday work hours are 7.30am-12 noon (4.5 hours). Friday prayers are to be held at 1.15pm. And then, the long weekend begins.
Meanwhile, Sharjah will adopt a three-day weekend, making Friday a full-day holiday, in addition to Saturday and Sunday.
This is deemed by most economic analysts as a “gamechanger” in the region.
At present, the private sector is also free to offer the same benefit to its workforce, or decide on its own flexible schedule of giving off days according to business requirements.
In both the public and private sectors, employees are entitled to overtime payments if they have to work more than 48 hours in a week.
