UAE begins testing 4-day work week.

The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has launched a pilot project called "Flexible Summer", under which select government employees will be transitioned to a four-day work week during the hot period. This is reported by Arabian Business.

Additionally, employees of 15 government institutions will work on an accelerated schedule, meaning seven hours a day instead of eight. This initiative aims to increase work productivity and create a more flexible working environment.

This project aligns with Dubai's development strategy until 2033, which aims to enhance residents' well-being and transform the city into a global hub with the best living and working conditions.

The pilot project will start on August 12th and last until September 30th, 2024. As a result, workers in government departments will be able to spend more Time with their families during the summer period. It will also reduce energy consumption in government buildings.

Sharjah became the first region in the Middle East to switch the public sector to a four-day work week on January 1, 2022. Officials work one hour longer from Monday to Thursday, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday being days off.

This decision followed the UAE government's announcement to switch the public sector to a 4.5-day work week. Employees work from Monday to Thursday, with Friday being a half-day, and Saturday and Sunday are days off. Year-round Friday prayers and sermons are held at 1:15 PM.

Let me remind you that in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, an experiment with a four-day work week for municipality employees began on April 1. The goal of this decision is to combat stress and increase the attractiveness of the municipality as a workplace.