UAE federal staff get school-return flexibility

The UAE government has introduced flexible working arrangements for federal staff with school-age children as the 2026-2027 academic year begins. Employees will be able to adjust their working hours to accommodate school drop-offs and pick-ups without disrupting government services. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources issued a policy allowing staff to report later or leave earlier than usual on the first day of school, with a maximum of three hours of flexibility per day.

This applies to children attending primary school or above, but nurseries and kindergartens receive broader flexibility due to the additional support required for younger children. The policy takes into account different school calendars and requires approval from the employee's direct manager. Federal entities are responsible for developing internal procedures to implement the provisions while ensuring that government operations and public service delivery are not affected.

The flexible arrangements are part of a broader move towards flexible working practices in the federal government, with the aim of supporting employees with family responsibilities while preserving workplace productivity.