Thousands of Dubai government employees will enjoy greater flexibility at work this summer, with some eligible for three-day weekends off under the emirate’s renewed “Our Flexible Summer” initiative starting on June 29.Launched by the Department of Human Resources (DGHR), Dubai Government, the program will run until September 10 and will offer reduced working hours and flexible scheduling options with the aim of enhancing employee well-being while ensuring uninterrupted government services.
two flexible work models
Under the Summer Initiative, government entities can choose between two working arrangements based on operational requirements. The first model allows employees to work eight hours a day from Monday to Thursday and take Friday off, effectively creating a four-day work week.The second model requires employees to work seven hours a day from Monday to Thursday and four and a half hours on Friday, resulting in reduced work hours throughout the week.Government departments may also implement remote work options and flexible schedules where appropriate.
focus work life balance
Officials said the initiative was developed after considering employee feedback and changing workplace expectations, especially during the summer months when family commitments increase.The program aims to provide employees with more time for their families, improve overall well-being and strengthen social and family ties without compromising productivity or service delivery.According to the DGHR, this initiative is in line with Dubai’s broader vision of creating a human-centric and future-ready workplace that prioritizes quality of life alongside institutional performance.
Employee welfare increases productivity: Officials
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Human Resources Department of the Government of Dubai, said the initiative demonstrated that employee well-being and organizational performance go hand in hand.He said, “The ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative has demonstrated that employee well-being and quality of life do not come at the expense of performance. On the contrary, they are among the key enablers of institutional success and long-term sustainability.”Al Falasi said the program reflects Dubai’s commitment to developing a more flexible, attractive and future-ready government work environment while enhancing the employee experience.
Third year of implementation
The 2026 program marks the third consecutive year of the Summer Flexibility Initiative, after similar schemes were launched in 2024 and 2025.The move is part of a wider trend towards flexible working arrangements in the UAE. Sharjah adopted a four-day work week in 2022, while the UAE federal government moved to a four-and-a-half-day work week in the same year.Globally, trials of a four-day work week have also gained momentum. A major UK pilot involving 61 companies reported improvements in employee well-being, reduced stress levels and strong support for continuing the model, with many companies adopting it permanently.Dubai officials say the latest initiative reinforces the emirate’s ambition to build a more agile, adaptable and people-focused government while maintaining high standards of public service.