{
  "id": 3951981,
  "title": "Flexible working hours for UAE government workers for return to school",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/flexible-working-hours-for-uae-government-workers-for-return-to-school",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-28T11:42:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/28/flexible-working-hours-for-uae-government-workers-for-return-to-school/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Government workers in the UAE will have flexible hours to accommodate the return of their children to schools and nurseries. Staff with children in primary and secondary schools can start late and leave early, as long as they are not gone for more than three hours. The rule applies only to the first day of school and takes into account staggered returns. The same policy extends to nursery staff for the first week of the 2026-27 academic year. Federal employees can also attend important school events for their children, as long as their absence does not interfere with work duties. They may request permission for up to three hours of absence for meetings, ceremonies, or activities, provided it doesn't conflict with federal HR laws. The flexible working plan was launched in 2018 to promote a better work-life balance for federal employees. With hundreds of thousands of pupils returning to classrooms across the UAE, police forces have increased patrols and transportation measures. Dubai Police will deploy 253 patrols and 28 drones, while the RTA will increase bus frequencies and add taxis in school zones. Abu Dhabi and Sharjah police will bolster their presence around schools and major intersections, and Ajman will place officers to manage traffic and monitor school buses. Ras Al Khaimah Police will also ramp up patrols around schools and organize traffic and pick-up areas.",
  "summary": "Government employees across the UAE will be allowed to work flexible hours so they can take their children to and from schools and nurseries for the start of the new academic year next week. Staff whose children are at primary and secondary schools will have the option to start late and leave work early, provided the time out of work does not exceed three hours. The ruling – set out by the…",
  "key_points": [
    "UAE government workers get flexible hours for children's school return.",
    "Staff can start late, leave early, but not more than 3 hours away.",
    "Policy also covers nursery staff for first week of 2026-27 school year."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Flexible working hours for UAE government workers for return to school",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/flexible-working-hours-for-uae-government-workers-for-return-to-school-3954660",
        "published": "2026-08-28T11:42:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}