Flexible summer work hours: Dubai launches new initiative for govt employees

The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has announced the rollout of the ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative across all Dubai Government entities, following a successful pilot phase in 2024.

The initiative, designed to promote work-life balance, will run from July 1 to September 12, 2025, and will be implemented at the discretion of each government entity.

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Under the programme, employees will follow one of two flexible schedules aligned with the official five-day work week. The first group will work eight hours daily from Monday to Thursday, receiving Friday off.

The second group will work seven hours Monday to Thursday, and 4.5 hours on Friday, a Dubai Media Office report said.

Strong results from 2024 pilot phase

According to DGHR, the pilot phase involving 21 government entities in 2024 resulted in improved productivity, enhanced workplace environments, and a notable rise in employee satisfaction—reaching up to 98 percent. Evaluations conducted as part of the Dubai Government Excellence Programme also showed clear performance improvements across participating departments.

The broader implementation of ‘Our Flexible Summer’ supports Dubai’s 2025 ‘Year of Community’ initiative and reflects a strategic push to create a more flexible, family-oriented government work environment. Officials say the programme is part of a broader effort to strengthen social bonds and create a balanced, human-centric government model.

Commitment to people-centric policies

Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR, emphasized that the expansion underscores Dubai’s commitment to employee well-being.

“This initiative reflects our strategic direction to place people at the core of government policy,” Al Falasi said. “It builds on the strong outcomes of last year’s pilot and supports the creation of a government system that harmonizes institutional efficiency with human well-being. Our goal is to lead in delivering flexible, sustainable, and people-first public services.”