UAE 3-day weekend plan success

Government agencies in Sharjah moved to a four-day working week in January last year.

At a meeting of the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC) on Tuesday, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah chaired a meeting where the success of the move was reviewed.

Sharjah pioneers 3-day weekend in UAE

The SEC reviewed a study of the three-day weekend work system and results showed an increase in employees productivity in 88 percent across Government entities.

The change to the working week also led to:

• 81 per cent increase in positive communication between employees
• 61 per cent increase in the rate of providing e-government services outside of official working hours
• 74 per cent increase in the attendance rate
• 76 per cent increase in innovation and creativity
• 46 per cent decrease in sick leave rate.

From the level of employees, the study found 90 per cent increase in the rate of job satisfaction, 90 per cent improvement in job performance and a 91 per cent feeling of happiness in general after implementing the new system.

Further findings noted that:

• 87 per cent of workers felt a positive effect on mental health
• 84 per cent felt the system achieves a balance between work and family life
• 96 per cent reported an increase in enjoyment of the weekly holiday
• 70 per cent increased their participation in social events
• 62 per cent increase in the opportunity to practice exercises and special hobbies
• 74 per cent increase in the sense of suitability of the work environment for new working hours
• 59 per cent increase in the opportunities for free time to pursue private commercial projects
• 52 per cent increase in the chances of completing education.

At the level of government agency customers, the study showed that customers feel a high satisfaction rate with the quality of services and the performance of employees in general by 94 per cent, and customers’ satisfaction with the cooperation of employees in meeting their needs by 93 per cent.

Customers’ access to services was not affected by 86 per cent, and 85 per cent of customers were satisfied with the speed of response.

The changing working hours saw public sector employees work from 7.30am to 3.30pm (roughly 90 minutes longer than what was previously worked), from Monday through to Thursday, followed by a three-day weekend.

The SEC also discussed general government issues that would enhance Sharjah’s position and enhance its leadership in various fields, and develop government work systems in line with the comprehensive development in various sectors.