Employees in Dubai work in the office on January 7, 2022. EXPAT MEDIA

For the first time in history, UAE government employees began working on Friday as part of a new work schedule, with the first such work Fridays on January 7. As of January 1, the UAE public sector switched to a new work week, with full working days from Monday to Thursday, and a half day on Friday. The weekend has been moved to Saturday and Sunday, instead of Friday and Saturday. The UAE government has not made the new work system mandatory for the private sector, however, some companies have announced that they will also be following the system. Under the new work system, government employees will work from 7:30am until 3:30pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 7:30am to 12pm on Friday. In Sharjah, however, weekends for the public sector are from Friday to Sunday. According to the UAE government, the new work system is aimed at aligning the emirates with global economic practices. The new work system will also allow qualified government employees to apply for flexible working hours or remote work during Fridays. Friday prayers at mosques across the UAE will start at 1:15pm to allow Muslims to participate after their work hours. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: Remote work, flexible working hours allowed on Friday
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