The attraction's visitor numbers in 2024 are set to surpass last year’s record figures
uae1 hour ago
The UAE has revised its workweek timings after 15 years, with government staff entitled to get two-and-a-half days off every week. The revised workweek comes into effect from January 1, 2022.
This means that employees would be working on Fridays till 12pm. The Friday sermons and prayers have been pushed to after 1.15pm, which will help Muslim employees offer them in congregation after work.
They will then get the rest of the Friday off, in addition to Saturday and Sunday.
Here are all your questions answered.
What is the new working week in the UAE?
The UAE will transition to a four-and-a-half-day working week, with Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday forming the new weekend for government employees.
What is the new work schedule?
8 hours a day from Monday to Thursday, and 4.5 hours on Friday.
Working hours are Monday to Thursday from 7.30am to 3.30pm.
Working hours on Friday are from 7.30am to 12pm.
How long is the new weekend?
The weekend is extended to 2.5 days— to be Saturday-Sunday and half of Friday.
Is the UAE the first Arab and Muslim country to set Friday as an official working day?
Majority of the countries around the world follow the Saturday-Sunday weekend, including Arab and Muslim nations such as Morocco, Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia.
ALSO READ:
What will happen to official holidays that fall on Fridays in 2022?
Official holidays in 2022 will be reviewed and adjusted if needed.
Does working on Fridays violate the Sharia law?
There is no rule or text in the Islamic Sharia that sets a specific holiday.
Official working hours on Friday end before prayer time.
Is this the first time that the UAE has revised its working week?
No, the UAE has revised its weekends on three occasions:
1971-1999: Friday was the official weekend.
1999-2006: UAE added Thursday to the weekend.
2006-2021: Country shifted the weekend to Friday and Saturday.
What are the expected outcomes of the new workweek?
Do government entities have the flexibility to apply the new working week?
Government entities will have the option to apply flexible working hours and work-from-home mechanisms on Fridays.
Does the new system apply to schools and universities?
Yes, schools and universities across the UAE will follow the new workweek. The Ministry of Education will announce the new school timings.
The attraction's visitor numbers in 2024 are set to surpass last year’s record figures
uae1 hour ago
He pointed out that the ongoing Israel-Gaza war will have economic implications affecting the region
uae1 hour ago
The world's most populous nation began voting on April 19 in a seven-phase election in which nearly one billion people are eligible to vote
asia1 hour ago
Exploring the city is all fun and games until you realise you left your purse, wallet, or phone in a cab
life and living1 hour ago
More than 968 million people are eligible to vote this year, and electoral laws demand that each voter is no more than 2km away from a polling booth
asia1 hour ago
Ras Al Khaimah tourism has signed an agreement with Skyports Infrastructure to introduce air taxis in the emirate
transport2 hours ago
Embark on an exciting adventure this summer with your little ones
entertainment2 hours ago
A guide on the types of student visas, documents required and process to apply
life and living2 hours ago