The Dubai government has implemented a temporary four-day work week for its public sector workforce. The new schedule divides government employees into two segments: one group works eight hours each day with Friday as a day off, while the other group works 4.5 hours on Fridays and seven hours on other weekdays. This adjustment is in effect from July 1 to September 12, after which employees will revert to a five-day work week. The initiative is part of Dubai’s 2025 Our Flexible Summer strategy. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, the director general of Dubai’s human resources department, mentioned that the initiative seeks to improve the government work atmosphere, making it more adaptable and responsive to the needs of employees and the community. The four-day work week follows a trial in 2024 involving 21 government entities, which reported a 98% rise in employee satisfaction along with enhanced productivity and well-being. Nevertheless, Dubai’s government is not yet prepared to implement this change permanently.

Is the four-day work week the future? Numerous organizations around the globe have experimented with shorter work weeks, frequently recording positive outcomes. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders advocates for a four-day work week, contending that the rise in productivity due to artificial intelligence should enable it. Firms such as Microsoft Japan and New Zealand’s Perpetual Guardian have experienced increases in productivity and cost-efficiency from adopting these schedules. A trial in Iceland from 2015 to 2019 found that employees were happier, healthier, and more productive. A UK trial conducted in 2022 also produced favorable results, with most participating organizations maintaining the four-day schedule. Belgium passed a law for a four-day work week in 2022, granting employees the option to request longer hours for an additional day off, and Panasonic launched an optional four-day work week. Despite global trials and documented benefits, the four-day work week remains uncommon, with few companies willing to widely adopt these changes.