UAE Government announces Ramadan working hours for public sector employees. From Monday to Thursday, working hours will be from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. On Fridays, the hours will be adjusted to 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. As a result, employees will work 3.5 hours less from Monday to Thursday and 1.5 hours less on Friday.
Exceptions for employees with unique work requirements
In some cases, exceptions will apply to employees whose jobs require different working hours. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) clarified these changes on Sunday.
Additionally, ministries and federal government employees may continue their approved flexible work arrangements during Ramadan. However, they must adhere to the daily work hour limits. Remote work is also permitted on Fridays for up to 70% of the total workforce, provided it aligns with the approved guidelines.
Ramadan’s start and moon sighting
According to the Hijri calendar published by the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Ramadan is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The UAE’s International Astronomy Centre (IAC) confirmed that the crescent for Ramadan will likely be visible the night before.
Islamic months last either 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon sighting. On February 28, the official moon-sighting committees will meet to determine the official start of Ramadan. If the crescent is sighted, the holy month will begin the following day.
For comparison, the UAE federal government has a four-and-a-half-day workweek. In non-Ramadan months, employees work from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, the working hours are from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
Saturdays and Sundays are designated as official weekends for federal employees. Local government entities across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah follow a similar workweek system.
Sharjah’s workweek system
Federal employees in Sharjah work a four-day week, from Monday to Thursday, with hours running from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The official weekend in Sharjah is Friday to Sunday.
