The four-day working week in Dubai will return this summer for government employees, giving public sector staff more flexibility and more time with their families during the warmer months.
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department has announced the return of the Our Flexible Summer initiative, which will run from June 29 until September 10. The scheme is designed to support employee well-being while maintaining productivity and service standards across government entities.
The initiative was introduced last summer as well, and its return shows Dubai’s continued focus on creating more adaptable and people-centred workplaces. Officials say the programme reflects a wider government approach that values both performance and quality of life.
Flexible Working Options for Government Staff
Under the scheme, government employees will be able to choose between two working patterns, depending on the needs of their department.
The first option allows staff to work seven-hour days from Monday to Thursday, followed by a four-and-a-half-hour shift on Friday. The second option gives employees the chance to work eight-hour days from Monday to Thursday and take Friday off completely, creating a four-day working week.
These arrangements are intended to help employees manage family commitments and daily routines more easily during the summer, while ensuring that government services continue to operate smoothly.
Each government entity will apply the scheme according to its own operational requirements, so service delivery remains consistent throughout the programme period.
A Focus on Wellbeing and Long-Term Performance
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said the initiative has shown that employee wellbeing and strong performance can work together.
He added that the programme demonstrates how quality of life can support institutional success, long-term sustainability, and a more flexible government work environment.
He also noted that Dubai’s government model recognises the importance of investing in talent and improving the quality of life as a way to strengthen productivity, encourage innovation, and support sustainable performance.
As temperatures rise across the UAE, the return of this summer initiative offers government employees a practical way to balance work and family life. It also reinforces Dubai’s broader effort to build modern workplaces that are efficient, flexible, and focused on people.
