If longer weekends is something you’ve been dreaming of, you’re not alone. Ever since Sharjah introduced 3-day weekends back in 2022, eager Dubai residents have been quietly wondering, are we next? Especially when you hear numbers like how Sharjah reported an 88% boost in productivity and a 90% jump in job satisfaction since the shift. Sounds like a win-win, right? So, is Dubai finally on the path to a shorter work week? Here’s the inside scoop of what you need to know.
Also read: Predictions For UAE’s 2026 Public Holidays – How Many Long Weekends Will There Be?
Dubai’s Current Move
As of right now, the closest thing Dubai has to a 4-day work week is the flexible summer hours offered by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR). For the second year running, government employees can work extra hours during the week to enjoy either a 3-day weekend or a half-day on Fridays. It’s not quite a full switch to shorter weeks, but it’s a step toward more flexibility. And so far, it’s been working. During the trial run last year, productivity went up, workplaces were happier, and employee satisfaction reached an impressive 98%.
Already Living The Dream In Sharjah
Sharjah has been the UAE’s trailblazer when it comes to longer weekends. Since 2022, 4-day work weeks have been the norm there, and the stats show it’s been a massive success. And not only has it greatly boosted productivity and job satisfaction for employees but customer happiness has also shot up to 94%. And it’s not just about having a longer weekend, it’s about flexibility in general becoming the new norm. I mean before the pandemic, working from home sounded like a dream and now we throw ‘WFH’ around the same way we do ‘LOL’.
So… Is Dubai Getting A 4-Day Work Week?
The short answer is – not yet, Right now, it’s more about flexible schedules and seasonal perks than a full shift to four-day weeks across the board. But with small businesses who have implemented such regimes, government offices adopting flexible hours, and Sharjah showing it’s a success story – it’s definitely a conversation Dubai should be having.
For now, it’s still a suggestion, but with all this positive feedback and real success stories, could a 4-day work week be just around the corner for Dubai? We’ll just have to wait and see.
