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The new long weekend would ‘boost productivity and improve work-life balance’, the UAE Government Media Office said in a tweet in January when the changes were introduced. Paulo Vecina / The National
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The UAE changed its working week in January 2022. Federal and local government staff now work from 7.30am to 3.30pm, from Monday to Thursday, and from 7.30am to midday on Friday. Sarah Dea / The National
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Friday sermons and prayers are held at 1.15pm after the working week changes. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Schools in the UAE scheduled lessons in line with major changes to the working week. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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No specific instructions or guidance was made relating to the private sector, but companies do not require the government’s permission to set their working week. Victor Besa / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BAJD3JN3BKMOL4N6M7BXNHWZBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fdb7a513929c88cd57060e232e118b2ac0ba490efbb577d0c15b1fc11f70a6bd&width=400&height=225)
The new long weekend would ‘boost productivity and improve work-life balance’, the UAE Government Media Office said in a tweet in January when the changes were introduced. Paulo Vecina / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YAN7PXP5T57BGQYGYQKC75IF4U.jpg?smart=true&auth=8ac5687ed5501a996dd6dfff7bf923c896636aeff19f70539670bb95aaff2303&width=400&height=225)
The UAE changed its working week in January 2022. Federal and local government staff now work from 7.30am to 3.30pm, from Monday to Thursday, and from 7.30am to midday on Friday. Sarah Dea / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XARXXC42G5C7ZB7C3TWAS4OPPY.png?smart=true&auth=9b3a995cdb918164790407ae6c4f0e9dcad15e4f28beb4c7321c83b829d36b5a&width=400&height=225)
Friday sermons and prayers are held at 1.15pm after the working week changes. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Schools in the UAE scheduled lessons in line with major changes to the working week. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JITE55A5P5BC5BUK436EDV4XIQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=80441ce0e5754a73dbafd647af26acb55547ee292dd15c47c1bde689129005d7&width=400&height=225)
No specific instructions or guidance was made relating to the private sector, but companies do not require the government’s permission to set their working week. Victor Besa / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BAJD3JN3BKMOL4N6M7BXNHWZBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fdb7a513929c88cd57060e232e118b2ac0ba490efbb577d0c15b1fc11f70a6bd&width=400&height=225)
The new long weekend would ‘boost productivity and improve work-life balance’, the UAE Government Media Office said in a tweet in January when the changes were introduced. Paulo Vecina / The National
UAE weekend change: Saturday-Sunday off and shorter working week
Private sector employers can choose whether to adopt the new weekend and shorter working week, labour minister says
Shireena Al Nowais
07 December, 2021
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