UAE Back To School: Government Employees Get Flexible Working Hours On First Day Of School

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has issued a circular to all federal ministries and entities in the UAE regarding the "Back to School" policy for 2024-2025. This initiative allows parents employed by the federal government to accompany their children to schools and nurseries at the start of the new academic year.

The circular aims to support federal employees by providing flexibility in their work environment. This flexibility aligns with current directives and legislation, ensuring that workflow and service delivery remain unaffected. Each federal entity's systems govern this flexibility, requiring approval from direct managers.

Federal employees with school-aged children can take advantage of this policy by either arriving late or leaving early on their child's first day of school. They are allowed a maximum of three hours, which can be split between morning and evening periods.

For those with children in nurseries and kindergartens, the policy permits either a late arrival or an early departure during the first week of school. This flexibility is also capped at three hours per day, considering the varying start dates set by different curricula.

The policy extends beyond just the beginning of the school year. Employees may also enjoy flexible working hours on other occasions related to their children's academic activities. However, this should not disrupt workflow or conflict with Federal Government Human Resources Law and its executive regulations.

An employee may be granted up to three hours to attend parent-teacher meetings, graduation ceremonies, events, and activities involving their children. This ensures that parents can participate in significant moments without compromising their professional responsibilities.

This initiative reflects FAHR's commitment to fostering a supportive work environment for federal employees while maintaining operational efficiency. By accommodating parental responsibilities, FAHR aims to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity within the federal workforce.

The "Back to School" policy underscores the importance of balancing professional duties with family commitments. It provides a structured yet flexible approach that benefits both employees and their families without hindering service delivery or workflow within federal entities.

This approach not only supports parents but also aligns with broader efforts to create a more adaptable and responsive work environment within the UAE's federal government framework.

With inputs from WAM