Summary
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has announced the rollout of the ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative across all Dubai Government entities, following a successful pilot phase in 2024. The initiative aims to promote work-life balance among employees and will run from July 1 to September 12, 2025.
Implementation of ‘Our Flexible Summer’
The initiative will be implemented at the discretion of each government entity, with two flexible schedules aligned with the official five-day work week. Employees can choose one of the following options:
- Eight hours daily from Monday to Thursday, receiving Friday off.
- Seven hours Monday to Thursday, and 4.5 hours on Friday.
According to DGHR, the pilot phase involving 21 government entities in 2024 resulted in improved productivity, enhanced workplace environments, and a notable rise in employee satisfaction—reaching up to 98 percent. Evaluations conducted as part of the Dubai Government Excellence Programme also showed clear performance improvements across participating departments.
The broader implementation of ‘Our Flexible Summer’ supports Dubai’s 2025 ‘Year of Community’ initiative and reflects a strategic push to create a more flexible, family-oriented government work environment. Officials say the programme is part of a broader effort to strengthen social bonds and create a balanced, human-centric government model.
Impact and Benefits
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR, emphasized that the expansion underscores Dubai’s commitment to employee well-being. "This initiative reflects our strategic direction to place people at the core of government policy," Al Falasi said. "It builds on the strong outcomes of last year’s pilot and supports the creation of a government system that harmonizes institutional efficiency with human well-being."
The rollout of ‘Our Flexible Summer’ is expected to have a positive impact on employees, enabling them to balance their work and personal responsibilities more effectively. By promoting flexible working arrangements, Dubai aims to create a more sustainable and people-first public services model.
Conclusion
The implementation of the ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative marks an important milestone in Dubai’s efforts to create a more flexible and family-oriented government work environment. With its focus on employee well-being and productivity, this initiative is set to have a lasting impact on the quality of life for Dubai Government employees. By leading by example, Dubai continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering innovative solutions that prioritize human needs.
DGHR has already demonstrated success with the pilot phase in 2024, achieving significant improvements in workplace environments and employee satisfaction. The full-scale implementation of ‘Our Flexible Summer’ will undoubtedly build on these results, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a beacon for progressive and people-centric policies.