The UAE has announced revised working hours for public sector employees during the holy month of Ramadan. From Monday to Thursday, employees will work from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, while on Fridays, working hours will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This means a reduction of 3.5 hours on weekdays and 1.5 hours on Fridays compared to regular schedules.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) clarified that certain exceptions apply to employees whose roles require different hours. Additionally, ministries and federal government entities may continue to implement approved flexible work arrangements as long as they comply with the set daily work hours. Remote work on Fridays is also permitted for up to 70% of employees, based on existing guidelines.
According to the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Ramadan is expected to begin on March 1, 2025, subject to moon-sighting confirmation on February 28.
Under the UAE’s regular four-and-a-half-day workweek, federal employees typically work from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM on weekdays and until 12:00 PM on Fridays. However, Sharjah follows a four-day workweek, with offices operating from Monday to Thursday, and weekends extending from Friday to Sunday.
