Here's How You Can Get a 3-Day Weekend in the UAE Under New HR Law

According to Cabinet Resolution No. 48 of 2023, federal employees who choose to work 10 hours per day are entitled to a three-day weekend.

Multiple work schedules have been established in the resolution, which establishes the executive regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 49 of 2022 on human resources in the federal government, and which will take effect beginning July 1st.

The laws set forth part-time working hours of no less than 8 hours nor more than 32 hours every week, as well as working days during weekly working days of no less than one nor more than four days per week.

In addition to outlining various public sector employees' work schedules, the resolution establishes the executive regulations of the Federal Decree-Law No. 49 of 2022.

These are the five work models:

• Office-based work: Employees will conduct their company's activities from the employer's main office or one of its designated branches or locations.      
• Remote work in the UAE: An employee will work from a location other than the employer's office or corporate headquarters. This must take place inside the United Arab Emirates and in accordance with the rules outlined in the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and UAE Cabinet-approved Remote Work Law.
• Remote work outside UAE: Employees may be required to do their work remotely from locations outside the United Arab Emirates.   
• Hybrid work: This model combines work done in an office setting with work done remotely.   
• Compressed work week: In certain situations, an employee may put in long hours so they can finish the agreed-upon number of hours in fewer working days. An employee from the UAE will work a maximum of 10 hours per day for four days under this schedule.

Four different job patterns are also identified by the Human Resources Law:

• Full-time  
• Part-time   
• Temporary    
• Flexible

The new Human Resources Law in the UAE aims to establish flexible working conditions and improve the effectiveness of government agencies.