UAE's four-and-a-half-day week brings happier staff despite hectic workdays, study suggests
A longer weekend is making UAE employees more motivated and happier with their work-life balance — but squeezing the working week is leaving many under greater pressure on the days they are at work. A study of employees on four-and-a-half-day schedules found that 70.9 per cent felt more motivated and 73.6 per cent reported a better work-life balance. More than four in five preferred the…
A new study reveals that UAE employees working a four-and-a-half day week report feeling more motivated and enjoying a better work-life balance, despite the increased pressure during their workdays. Out of the 155 surveyed employees, 70.9% felt more motivated and 73.6% experienced improved work-life balance. While 85% preferred this arrangement over the traditional five-day workweek, 37% found their working days more stressful due to trying to meet the same demands in less time.
The four-and-a-half day week, adopted by the UAE public sector five years ago, has brought both positive and negative results for companies. Private sector firms like TishTash Group and Nathan Group have seen improved staff retention and performance, with employees being more focused and present. However, others like Nishe have abandoned the trial due to client expectations for five-day availability.
Professor Linda Smail of Zayed University, who led the study, stated that the positive impact on employees is not solely due to fewer hours worked but rather the anticipation of the longer break. She emphasized that while the four-and-a-half day week redistributes demands, it also intensifies the working days, and whether the net effect is positive depends on how well the organization redesigns the work to match.
Company policies on shorter workweeks vary, with some struggling to maintain the arrangement due to client demands and employee dissatisfaction. Experts suggest that businesses should review their work structures, time allocations, and processes to ensure that shorter hours do not increase pressure in other areas.
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