Dubai to cut down work hours, halt Friday operations for some govt bodies

 

Government departments in Dubai are to be put on a trial start cutting down their working hours during the summer as authorities have recently unveiled a new deal to that effect. Companies in Dubai will also see work on Fridays cease, based on the Dubai Government Human Resources Department.

Flexible working during the summer will come in as Our Flexible Summer where working time will be cut down to seven government institutions in Dubai from the 12th of August to the 30th of September.

These employees get numerous privileges; most government employees in Dubai enjoy a two-and half-day weekend that is, working on Friday till half-past noon and the next two days are off. Under this program the employees in the associated departments of government will get a continuous long weekend for seven weeks.

Though the DGHR did not mention which organisations will participate in the pilot scheme, it stated that it is to “improve workplace adaptability”. It provides safety in workplace during the summer and promotes improved productivity as a result of a balanced lifestyle it said.

Minister had conducted a survey to measure the readiness of government agencies to cut down on the working hours during summer. The initiative will also go carry the aim of facilitating energy conservation within the government departments.

“Regarding the proposal, there was an overwhelming response from the respondent through the survey, suggesting readiness to embrace changes that will enhance the welfare of the human resource in the organization’s working environment.”

The DGHR will also assess the effectiveness of the given program on the employees and on the company’s output. Previous literature reviews both locally and internationally has shown that reduced working hours enhance productivity.

Having launched the three days a week working schedule in Sharjah the civil servants reported an 88% increase in productivity as well as a 90% rise in job satisfaction. It also made the customers more happier with 94 percent of service satisfaction.

The DGHR said it will also “continuously monitor” the feedback collected in order to develop a conclusive report, inclusive of the outcomes and recommendations of the initiative and the flexibility of the approach to cater for different arms of government.

Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, director-general of the DGHR, said: “The launch will also further our vision to empower human resources by acquiring smart solutions and pioneering policies to uplift Dubai’s competitiveness. The initiative aims to boost employees’ quality of life and promote sustainable use of government resources, placing Dubai as the ideal city for a superior lifestyle.”