A year has passed since the UAE made the milestone move of changing the weekend, a reflection of the international make-up of business in the Emirates.
Initially introduced only for government workers, the private sector was quick to fall in line and life in the Emirates quickly adapted to a Monday-Friday working week.
Also introduced was a four-and-half-day week for schools and government employees, which was reduced further to four days in Sharjah.
Improved working hours for some
The switch to a Monday to Friday working week came with plenty of benefits for some, with their schedules now aligned with clients in other parts of the world.
"When I first moved here to work two years ago, from the US, it was quite a shock to be operating on a Sunday to Thursday week," said Nikita Sachdev, chief executive of marketing company Luna PR.
"It was a bit awkward because clients in other countries would still be messaging us on Fridays, and then they would be off on Sundays when we were back from the weekend. It meant those days were kind of spent in limbo.
"When the Monday to Friday week was announced, I was so relieved and it changed the entire dynamic to be aligned with western countries.
"It took away the hassle of trying to cram everything in from Monday to Thursday with those clients."
The switch in the working week has also boosted happiness and productivity for some companies in the UAE, when staff could match their schedules with family abroad. Productivity also received a boost when business that might have been missed due to misaligned schedules could now be catered to.
"It has also impacted our employee happiness as the new working week is aligned with other countries, which means they have the same weekends with their families and extended families based abroad," said Hilmarie Hutchison, chief executive of Matrix PR.
"Operations have become smoother. Before, we would lose out on opportunities because of delays in approvals or payments because of what was effectively a three-day weekend."
Other side of the coin
But did the change to the working week lead to some people working longer hours than before? Whereas many were grateful to no longer need to respond to international clients on Fridays, others with more local business felt the impact of still logging in on Sundays.
“One of the major drawbacks is that other GCC countries didn’t follow and are sticking to the Sunday-to-Thursday model,” said David Mackenzie, group managing director of recruitment firm Mackenzie Jones.
“In some ways, it’s been more difficult for some because if you are doing business with companies in other GCC countries, they want you to be available on Sundays and not Fridays.
“You can end up getting sucked back into having to work on a Sunday to answer emails or phone calls.”
While the switch to a Monday-to-Friday working week was optional for the private sector, a report from recruitment company Hays said the majority of companies in the UAE had made the move.
“Most organisations and employers embraced the transition, with the changes having a positive impact on employee well-being,” said Kieran Fitzgerald, senior operations director for Hays in the Middle East.
“Almost 12 months on, some employers are reporting an increase in employee satisfaction, productivity, and engagement.
“As the only country in the GCC to adopt these changes, there are some challenges, including differing schedules and less efficiency with regional business partners and colleagues which, in a small number of cases, is resulting in an increased workload from Monday to Thursday.”
Working weekends
One Dubai resident who finds himself having to work during weekends is Sameer Sehgal, an Indian who works in the software industry.
“I often have to work during weekends now because clients who are working on a Sunday in other GCC countries expect you to get back to them right away,” Mr Sehgal said.
“If you don’t, you will end up losing out on that business.
“Family time also becomes an issue because you find that you’re unable to switch off. You have to be prepared to be in constant communication with clients, to the point where it is a massive distraction.”
The change in the working week was not the first time the UAE had made such a move.
Friday was the only non-working day in 1971, this was the case until Thursday was added to make a two-day weekend in 1999.
Then the model was changed in 2006, with Friday and Saturday becoming the weekend.
Another expert said the changes had meant some people were now working during their weekends, because of the need to be in constant communication with clients in neighbouring countries, especially Saudi Arabia.
“I wouldn’t say it has quite created a six-day working week, but people have to be available on Sundays as well to deal with issues that arise that day,” said Shiraz Sethi, head of regional employment with law firm Dentons.
“What it has done is put more pressure on people to ensure they answer emails on their day off.
“It’s not such a problem for people working in senior management roles because they get paid a lot more, but it has created tension for people in middle or junior positions.”
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Not Dark Yet
Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer
Four stars
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Liverpool 4 Southampton 0
Jota (2', 32')
Thiago (37')
Van Dijk (52')
Man of the match: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
