The new updates currently apply to federal government departments only…

The UAE government today announced a four and a half day working week for federal government departments, effective from January 1, 2022. The new weekend will be Friday afternoon (from 12pm), Saturday and Sunday.

According to a tweet by the UAE Media Office – published on Tuesday December 7 – the new system is to be applied in federal government entities. There will be eight working hours a day on Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 3.30pm, followed by 4.5 working hours on Fridays, from 7.30am to 12pm.

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The UAE Government Media Office said in a Tweet that the new longer weekends will “boost productivity and improve work-life balance.”

Friday sermons and prayers will be held at 1.15pm throughout the year. There will also be the possibility of flexible working hours and work-from-home options on Fridays.

There is no word yet on whether this new long weekend will be applicable to the private sector.

According to The National, a document from the government confirmed that “all public and private schools will implement the same timetable for learning hours, with pupils attending lessons from Monday to Thursday”.

We will keep you updated when we know more…

Images: Getty