Dubai’s government employees are currently working under a four-day week or reduced-hours arrangement as part of the emirate’s third consecutive Our Flexible Summer initiative, launched on June 29 and running until September 10, 2026, covering all Dubai government entities for the first time.
The programme, managed by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, offers two models. The first gives employees eight-hour days from Monday to Thursday with Fridays entirely off. The second offers seven-hour days Monday to Thursday and a four-and-a-half-hour Friday. Government entities may also apply remote working and flexible hour arrangements depending on operational needs.
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said employee wellbeing and quality of life do not come at the expense of performance, describing the initiative as a key enabler of institutional success and long-term sustainability.
The initiative does not apply to private sector workers, though Dubai’s government has repeatedly called on private companies to adopt similar flexible models. A 2024 DGHR survey found 98% of participating employees reported improved happiness under the scheme. The programme aligns with the UAE’s Year of the Family 2026 and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033. A separate UAE-wide midday outdoor work ban runs in parallel from June 15 to September 15.
