Is there a 4-day week in United Arab Emirates?
Mainly in government. Federal government staff have worked a 4.5-day week since 1 January 2022: eight hours from Monday to Thursday and 7.30 am to 12.00 pm on Friday, which adds up to 36.5 hours. Saturday and Sunday are their official weekend. Sharjah's government works four days a week, Monday to Thursday, with a Friday-to-Sunday weekend, and the governments of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah have adopted a week similar to the federal one.
Dubai's government has also run a summer scheme. In 2026 it ran from 29 June to 10 September: government entities could adopt one of two models, seven-hour days Monday to Thursday plus four and a half hours on Friday, or eight-hour days Monday to Thursday with Friday off. According to Khaleej Times, the initiative covered 49 government entities and more than 24,000 employees; it did not say how many used either shorter week. Flexible start and end times were the most widely adopted arrangement, at 54% of the total.
These are public-sector schemes. In the private sector, workers are required to work 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week.
Latest developments
Dubai reports uptake of its 2026 flexible summer scheme
The initiative covered 49 government entities and more than 24,000 employees; take-up of the shorter-week models is not reported. Flexible start and end times were the most widely adopted arrangement, at 54% of the total.
Khaleej Times: Dubai summer work scheme, flexible start and end times most widely adopted option (opens in new tab)Dubai government staff offered 'Our Flexible Summer' schedules from 29 June
From 29 June to 10 September, Dubai government employees could work seven-hour days Monday to Thursday plus 4.5 hours on Friday, or eight-hour days Monday to Thursday and take Friday off.
The National: Dubai announces four-day working week for government staff over summer (opens in new tab)Dubai government starts 'Our Flexible Summer' 2025
From 1 July to 12 September 2025, one group worked eight hours Monday to Thursday with Friday off (32 hours a week) and another seven hours Monday to Thursday plus 4.5 hours on Friday (32.5 hours).
HR Katha: 4-day work week for Dubai government staff (opens in new tab)
4-day-week trials in United Arab Emirates
What each pilot reported. Figures are the organiser's own, from the linked report.
Dubai Government 'Our Flexible Summer' 2026
Run by Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR)
- Jun 2026 – Sep 2026
Dubai government entities could adopt one of two models: seven-hour days Monday to Thursday plus 4.5 hours on Friday, or eight-hour days Monday to Thursday with Friday off. The initiative covered 49 government entities and more than 24,000 employees; take-up of the two models is not reported. Flexible start and end times were the most widely adopted arrangement (54% of the total).
Khaleej Times: Dubai summer work scheme, flexible start and end times most widely adopted option (opens in new tab)Dubai Government 'Our Flexible Summer' 2025
Run by Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR)
- Jul 2025 – Sep 2025
Two groups: eight hours a day Monday to Thursday with Friday off (32 hours a week), or seven hours Monday to Thursday plus 4.5 hours on Friday (32.5 hours). Reported by HR Katha; no results are given in that report.
HR Katha: 4-day work week for Dubai government staff (opens in new tab)Who offers a 4-day week in United Arab Emirates
We do not list a company with a 4-day week in United Arab Emirates yet.
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Working hours
Private-sector workers must work 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, and overtime may not exceed two extra hours a day. In the federal government, Saturday and Sunday are the weekend and Friday is a half working day, ending at 12.00. The governments of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah have adopted a similar week. Sharjah's government has a three-day weekend: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Paid leave and holidays
Private-sector employees are entitled to fully paid annual leave of 30 days after one year of service; the government portal does not say whether these are calendar or working days. With between six and twelve months of service they earn 2 days for each month. They also get paid leave on public holidays.
Part-time and flexible work
Federal entities can use flexible, part-time and remote patterns, including an "intensive working hours (compressed work week)".