How UAE’s new work week will affect tech leaders

UAE’s shift to a new work week will boost remote working and align the Gulf country with major markets in the West and Asia, making communications a little easier for tech leaders who need to communicate with affiliates globally.

UAE, one of the Middle East’s largest economies, is moving to a new work week schedule of four-and-a-half days — with Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday forming the new weekend for government employees. The Emirates’ shift to the new work week is expected to boost remote working and align the Gulf country with major markets in the West and Asia, making communications a little easier for tech leaders who need to communicate with affiliates globally.

According to a survey from Mercer Middle East, the majority of firms polled (57%) have a preference to adopt the new UAE weekend model. “Employers in the UAE must continue to offer staff flexibility, particularly for parents given that schools will operate a half-day on Friday, and to accommodate religious needs,” Ted Raffoul, Mercer’s career and workforce products business leader, MENA, said in a report.