UAE Grants Flexible Work Hours for Government Employees on First Day of School

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Parents working in the UAE’s federal government will benefit from flexible working hours on the first day of the new academic year, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announced yesterday.

The decision, aimed at supporting parents in balancing work and family commitments, will allow employees to adjust their arrival and departure times so they can accompany their children to school and back home. The total duration of this flexibility will be up to three hours on the first school day.

FAHR highlighted that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening family stability and ensuring a smooth start to the academic year for students and parents alike.

Additional Flexibility for Nursery and Kindergarten Parents

Parents of nursery and kindergarten children will enjoy extended flexibility for an entire week. During this adjustment period, employees may take up to three hours off per day to help with drop-offs and pick-ups, easing the transition for both children and families.

Flexibility Beyond the First Day

The policy is not limited to the school year’s opening. Employees may also be granted up to three hours of flexible work time to attend school-related activities, including parent-teacher meetings, graduation ceremonies, and other events.

FAHR further stressed the importance of considering differences in start dates among various curricula followed in the UAE, ensuring that all parents receive equitable support.

Attendance flexibility will remain subject to existing workplace systems and will require approval from the employee’s direct manager, the authority said.

This move is part of broader family-friendly policies adopted by the UAE to promote work-life balance, reflecting the government’s emphasis on education, family support, and employee wellbeing.