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UAE announces flexible work timings for govt employees as schools reopen
During the new academic year, employees have also been allowed for a period not exceeding three hours to attend parent-teacher meetings at their children’s schools
- PUBLISHED: Wed 20 Aug 2025, 1:09 PM UPDATED: Wed 20 Aug 2025, 4:41 PM
As families across the UAE gear up for schools to reopen, the country has announced flexible work timings for government employees, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said on Wednesday, August 20, as it released the latest 'Back to School' policy.
Ahead of the start of the Academic Year 2025-2026, employees have been given flexibility on the first day of school. The flexibility in attendance and departure must be given according to systems in place within the entity and with the approval of the direct manager.
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Federal ministries and entities have been instructed to grant their employees flexibility in arrival and departure from work on the first day to accompany their children to and from school or home.
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The total duration of this flexibility shall not exceed three hours on the first day of school, the authority stated.
Meanwhile, for employees who are parents of nursery and kindergarten going children, companies have been advised to allow them flexibility while coming and leaving work for a week as parents and children adjust to the pick and drop schedule.
The total duration of this flexibility shall not exceed three hours per day during each day of the first week.
During the new academic year, employees have also been allowed for a period not exceeding three hours to attend parent-teacher meetings at their children’s schools. The same applies to parents attending graduation ceremonies and other events or activities related to their children.
The authority also clarified that differences in the school start dates according to the curriculum should be taken into account by employers.
The move, that was also implemented last year, focuses on providing necessary flexibility in the work environment without affecting the workflow and service delivery of employees.
