About 19 per cent of private sector employers in the UAE said that Friday will become a day where staff are guaranteed the option of working from home, according to a survey, as the country shifts to a Saturday-Sunday weekend in line with global markets.
Thirty per cent of companies in the UAE said they are considering giving staff the work-from-home option on Friday, according to the survey by global advisory Willis Towers Watson, which polled 120 private sector businesses in the Emirates in December.
However, 51 per cent of businesses said they will not make Friday a day where staff can automatically choose to work from home.
“Businesses largely back the new weekend and expect it to create upsides both for individuals and the wider economy,” said Ahmad Waarie, UAE managing director at WTW.
“This is a big change for all of us and the organisations that will succeed need to be flexible and in touch with the diverse needs of their workforce.”
Following the official change to the weekend, schools and workers in the public sector across the country will work a half-day on Fridays, with schools wrapping up their day at noon and workplaces closing for the weekend no later than 12.30pm.
Most private sector companies will continue to work a full day on Friday. Sharjah's public sector switched to a four-day working week model at the start of the year.
About 23 per cent of private sector companies in the UAE plan to move to a 4.5-day working week, according to a December survey by global management consultancy Mercer. Just five per cent of companies polled said they would stick to a Sunday to Thursday working week and retain a Friday-Saturday weekend, Mercer said.
A flexible working policy was the most common model in the UAE, with many opting for two to three days at home and in the office alternately, according to a recent study by recruitment consultancy Hays.
Working from home on a Friday will be a popular way of absorbing some of the change and covering commitments like childcare
Ahmad Waarie, UAE managing director, Willis Towers Watson
“Working from home on a Friday will be a popular way of absorbing some of the change and covering commitments like childcare,” Mr Waarie said.
“Even if an employer does not set Friday as a work-from-home day, we expect many will still offer it on a flexible basis. One positive of the pandemic is that remote working has become the norm for many."
About 61 per cent of private sector businesses in the UAE are moving to the new Saturday-Sunday weekend and only 3 per cent will maintain the Friday-Saturday pattern, according to the WTW survey.
Among the businesses that are not moving to the new weekend, 17 per cent said they are reviewing their policies around schools and 56 per cent are thinking of doing so, the poll found.
Of the remaining 36 per cent of employers who are considering what weekend to adopt, most said they will decide during the first quarter of 2022.
Sixty per cent of private sector businesses surveyed said they will not follow the public sector by moving to a half day on Friday while 30 per cent are unsure of what model to follow. Ten per cent plan to make the switch, according to WTW.
Among those UAE companies that plan to adopt a 4.5-day working week, 55 per cent said they will retain a 40-hour week, which means an increase of daily working hours during the rest of the week, the survey found. The remaining 45 per cent of employers polled said they plan to shorten the working week.
About 22 per cent of UAE companies said some of their staff would be available on Sunday to remain mindful of business with the wider region. However, 52 per cent of employers want Sunday to be a day off for all staff, the research found.
Among those businesses that will remain open all day on Friday, 62 per cent said they will provide a longer prayer break while 22 per cent are considering doing so, the study showed.
About 39 per cent of employers said the weekend change would improve their staff’s work-life balance, while 52 per cent have changed or are rethinking their well-being policies, according to the WTW survey findings.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Afghanistan fixtures
v Australia, today
v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
v New Zealand, Saturday,
v South Africa, June 15
v England, June 18
v India, June 22
v Bangladesh, June 24
v Pakistan, June 29
v West Indies, July 4
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Key facilities
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE) Where: Anfield, Liverpool Live: BeIN Sports HD Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
MATCH INFO
Karnataka Tuskers 110-5 (10 ovs)
Tharanga 48, Shafiq 34, Rampaul 2-16
Delhi Bulls 91-8 (10 ovs)
Mathews 31, Rimmington 3-28
Karnataka Tuskers win by 19 runs
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
What are the influencer academy modules?
Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
Cinematography, shots and movement.
All aspects of post-production.
Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023 More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
