The United Arab Emirates has just announced some significant modifications to its work schedule.

The Gulf country is implementing a 4.5-day workweek, with weekends consisting of Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday.

The shift of its working schedule is notable for two reasons, first, it makes the UAE the first country to formally recognize a workweek of fewer than five days, and second, it aligns the country with Western time zones, which previously, the UAE had a Friday-Saturday weekend, as does the majority of Muslim-dominated countries.

“The extended weekend comes as part of the UAE government’s efforts to boost work-life balance and enhance social wellbeing while increasing performance to advance the UAE’s economic competitiveness,” stated the news agency WAM on Tuesday.

The reforms will take effect on January 1 and apply to federal government entities. Workdays will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, and Friday working hours will start at 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Friday sermons and prayers will begin at 1:15 p.m., and government employees can work from home on Fridays or “adjust their working hours on a flexi-time basis,” according to WAM.

The Western-style weekend, which had been rumored for years, was finally confirmed less than a week after the former British colony commemorated its 50th anniversary.

“It will ensure smooth financial, trade and economic transactions with countries that follow a Saturday/Sunday weekend, facilitating stronger international business links and opportunities for thousands of UAE-based and multinational companies,” it added.

Source: https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395303000412