What are the New Working Hours for Public Sector Employees in UAE Effective January 2022?

UAE announces longer weekend, shorter working hours on Friday from 2022.

The UAE will transition to a new working hours four-and-a-half-day working week, with Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday forming the new weekend for government employees.

Public sector employees will be expected to work from 7:30am to 3:30pm from Monday to Thursday (8 hours) and from 7.30am to 12:00pm on Fridays (four-and-one-half hours).

The weekend is extended to 2.5 days— to be Saturday-Sunday and half of Friday.

Government entities will have the option to apply flexible working hours and work-from-home mechanisms on Fridays.

The UAE has announced that all Friday sermons and prayers would be held after 1.15pm across the UAE for the year 2022.

The new working week will better align the Emirate with global markets, reflecting the country’s strategic status on the global economic map. It will also boost work-life balance and enhance social wellbeing, while increasing productivity and enhancing government performance.

No specific instructions or guidance have been issued for the private sector thus far.

All public and private schools will implement the same timetable, with pupils attending lessons from Monday to Thursday, with a half day on Friday. The authority will confirm the new working hours for schools later.