UAE emirate Sharjah switches to four-day working week

The UAE emirate of Sharjah will switch to a four-day work system in the new year following an extensive study, according to The National News and Gulf News.

Sharjah's new working week will be from Mondays to Thursdays, as approved by Sharjah's executive council, in line with instructions from Ruler of Sharjah and Supreme Council Member Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Emirati papers reported.

The move - which will be implemented across the public sector in the new year - comes with the aim of corresponding with the UAE vision to enhance competitiveness across various sectors and support the Emirati business environment and economy.

The new rules - which makes Sharjah's government sector the first in the Middle East to fully adopt a four-day working week - will see the emirate's public sector enjoy an extra half-day off than the rest of the country.

The UAE announced plans on Tuesday to switch its working week to Mondays to Fridays in the new year, with half days on Fridays.

Sharjah's new working hours will be from 7:30am to 3:30pm - 60 to 90 minutes longer than current hours - with Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays being weekend days, according to The National News.

بعد دراسة مستفيضة، سيخرج المجلس التنفيذي لحكومة الشارقة بقراره الجديد حول تغيير الإجازة الاسبوعية في الشارقة. انتظروا النتائج بعد قليل في الخط المباشر على إذاعة وتلفزيون الشارقة.

— سلطان بن أحمد القاسمي Sultan Bin Ahmed Alqasimi (@saqshj) December 9, 2021

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, announced the move on Twitter, telling citizens to wait for more information.

Sharjah's executive council and Sheikh Al-Qasimi's official media teams have yet to release public statements online regarding the news. The New Arab has contacted both for comment.

The UAE considered changing their working-week pattern earlier this year in an effort to harmonise office hours with the global economy.

The half-day Fridays to begin in the new year across the UAE will end at midday, allowing for the country's Friday congregational sermons and prayers to be held after working hours at 1:15pm.