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 longer weekend is boosting motivation and job satisfaction for UAE employees working a four-and-a-half-day week, according to a new study. However, the compressed workdays are leaving some employees feeling more stressed, the research found. Professor Linda Smail of Zayed University said the results exceeded expectations, with 70.9% of participants reporting increased motivation and 73.6% saying they had better work-life balance.
While the four-and-a-half-day week has been adopted by the federal government and some private companies, others have abandoned the trial due to client expectations for five-day availability. The study surveyed 155 employees from the public sector and education, noting that the shorter week redistributes demands rather than simply cutting hours.
Benefits include employees anticipating breaks and working more focused, present, and less burnt out. However, the study also highlighted the need for organizations to redesign work to match the new schedule.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
