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The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has recently made headlines with its announcement of the rollout of the ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative. This new approach is designed to enhance work-life balance among employees within all Dubai Government entities, building upon a successful pilot phase that took place in 2024.
Scheduled to run from July 1 to September 12, 2025, the initiative’s implementation will be flexible and tailored according to the needs of each government entity. This adaptability is aimed at ensuring that both the goals of the government and the well-being of its employees are met effectively.
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Under the ‘Our Flexible Summer’ programme, employees will choose between two distinct work schedules that align with the official five-day work week. In one schedule, employees work eight hours from Monday to Thursday, enjoying a full Friday off. Alternatively, the second group will work seven hours Monday through Thursday, followed by a shorter day of 4.5 hours on Friday. This approach aims to cater to differing work styles while promoting overall employee satisfaction.
Strong Results from 2024 Pilot Phase
The feedback from the pilot phase, which included 21 government entities, has been overwhelmingly positive. Reports indicate significant improvements in productivity and workplace morale, with employee satisfaction hitting an impressive 98 percent. These findings underscore the initiative’s potential effectiveness in creating more harmonious workplace environments and boosting overall job satisfaction.
Furthermore, evaluations conducted through the Dubai Government Excellence Programme highlighted enhanced performance metrics across departments that participated in the pilot, indicating that when employees feel balanced and supported, it translates into better organizational outcomes.
Implementing ‘Our Flexible Summer’ is not just about alleviating the work burden during the summer months; it aligns with Dubai’s broader vision for 2025, dubbed the ‘Year of Community’. This initiative reflects a strategic commitment to fostering a more flexible, family-centered workplace that reinforces social ties and prioritizes human-centric policies.
Commitment to People-Centric Policies
His Excellency Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR, has articulated the core philosophy behind this initiative. He emphasized that expanding flexible work arrangements is a clear testament to Dubai’s dedication to enhancing employee well-being. “This initiative reflects our strategic direction to place people at the core of government policy,” said Al Falasi. He noted that it builds upon last year’s pilot success and fosters a government system that harmonizes institutional efficacy with individual well-being.
With the commitment to lead in providing flexible, sustainable, and employee-first public services, Dubai sets a precedent for other regions in cultivating an environment where employees are not just seen as cogs in a machine, but as valuable contributors to the governmental framework.
