Carrying out 'Work-Life Balance', UAE applies 4.5 working days a week


 The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially announced that it will enforce a 4.5 day work week. The country is the first in the world to do so.




Starting January 1, 2022, the UAE will enforce new business hours for all Federal government entities, with working days Monday to Thursday starting at 07.30 and ending at 15.30, and Friday from 07.30 to 12.00 noon.




In Islamic tradition, Friday is considered the most special and holy day. Friday sermons and prayers will be held across the UAE at 13:15. Meanwhile, government staff will have the flexibility to make arrangements to work from home on Fridays or check-in hours based on flexible times.





There is good news for children too. Dubai-based newspaper, Khaleej Times, as seen Saturday (11/12/2021) reported that schools and universities will also follow this new rule, so all classes will end on Friday afternoon.





The UAE, which is a federation of seven independent city-states along the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, said the shift had economic benefits. Longer weekends will help increase productivity and improve work-life balance.





There is some good evidence to support the idea of ​​a shorter working day of the week. In 2019, Microsoft Japan tested a four-day work week for a month and saw a 40% increase in productivity.





Earlier this year, a social experiment was conducted in Iceland to investigate the pros and cons of working four days a week. The results turned out to be positive. Not only do people feel happier, healthier, and less stressed, in fact many workplaces become more productive.




Most participants reported they had more energy for other activities, such as socializing, exercising, and hobbies. Longer weekends also allow them to have more time with family or friends, and make it easier to complete other household chores.

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