Effectiveness of a four-day work week in the Middle East

In recent years, various workplace trends have emerged, driven either by the pandemic or a commitment to improving work-life balance with a strong focus on employee well-being. Employees are increasingly demanding better flexibility in their work schedules. One such workplace trend is the four-day work week or compressed work week; however, HR and talent leaders remain cautious about adopting this trend.

What is the state of the four-day workweek in Middle Eastern countries? 

In the Middle East, the UAE government introduced new work arrangements for federal workers starting January 2022. This included a four-and-a-half-day workweek with Friday as a half-day, flexible working hours, a work-from-home option, and a three-day weekend to boost productivity and work-life balance. Later, on July 1, 2023, the government implemented a compressed four-day workweek, requiring employees to complete 40 hours per week, and three-day weekend. 

Similarly, the Sharjah Government introduced a four-day workweek, with working days from Monday to Thursday, eight hours each day, and a three-day weekend starting January 2022.

Most recently, the Turkish acrylic fiber producer Aksa adopted a four-day workweek for its 1,200 employees, including blue-collar workers. And in November 2023, the tech giant e& (Etisalat and) implemented a four-day work week. 

How effective is a four-day workweek in the Middle East? 

When it comes to understanding the effectiveness and benefits of the four-day workweek arrangement, organisations that have implemented it report enhanced productivity, increased job satisfaction, reduced stress, and improved health and well-being of their employees. They have observed better work engagement, work-life balance, social well-being, and economic sustainability.

According to a report by the Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSDC) on Sharjah’s four-day workweek, there was an astonishing 90 per cent increase in job satisfaction, 86 per cent better productivity, and 89.6 per cent higher work performance. It also led to an 85 per cent improvement in work-life balance, 87.3 per cent enhanced mental well-being, a 69.7 per cent increase in social well-being, 61.8 per cent more time for leisure and creative activities, and, additionally, 43 per cent more time to work on side hustles.

And after a year of implementing the four-day workweek, Aksa posted the results of their initiative last year, “We broke new ground in Turkey and made the 4-day-a-week working system, which we implemented a trial period between January 1 and March 31, permanent for 225 of our 1,450 Aksa employees who do not receive overtime wages. Within the scope of the practice, no overtime was applied on other days for the underworked day, and no deduction was made in salary and fringe benefits. 

In addition, there was no increase in the number of our employees, we managed the process with our existing norm staff. Among the general findings of the pilot study application feedback survey results, there were outputs such as that there was no disruption in the work deadlines and participation in meetings, etc., when our employees were included in the application, that the process increased working efficiency, positively affected the work-life balance, and increased loyalty and motivation to our company.

In addition, the idea of continuing the pilot was supported by 93 per cent of our employees, and it was revealed that 94 per cent of the work-life balance had a positive impact.”

As the participation rate in the four-day workweek programme reached an impressive 94 per cent, Aksa's CEO, Cengiz Taş, highlighted the success of the four-day workweek, boosting collaboration and team spirit within the company. To this, R&D and Sustainability Group Manager, Aslı Ertan, added, "The motivation of my colleagues and team has clearly increased.”

When introducing the four-day workweek at e&, Dena Almansoori has commented, “We recognise the need to modernise workplace strategies. What may have worked in the past may not be suitable for the future. Therefore, it is crucial to challenge norms, learn through experimentation, and adapt our work policies to create a more efficient, productive, and fulfilling environment for our teams and businesses to thrive. We believe that by putting the well-being of our employees first, we are laying the foundations for a more sustainable future. Also, by reducing travel times and minimising resource consumption, we are reflecting the UAE’s ambition to well-being and sustainability, while supporting e&’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions in scope 1 and 2 by 2030.”

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Key benefits of four-day workweek 

While the world debates work-from-office and flexible work policies, the notable benefits of a reduced or four-day workweek introduced in the Middle East include:

1. Increased productivity and engagement -The reduced workweeks lead to greater work efficiency and productivity, as well as better employee engagement. Employees now prioritise their tasks better and spend less time on non-essential activities.
2. Enhanced well-being - With a three-day weekend in place, employees get more time to rest, pursue hobbies, and spend time with family and friends, which in turn leads to improved mental and physical health.
3. Reduced stress and burnout - The four-day workweek helps employees potentially reduce job stress and burnout rates, as they have more time to relax and recharge during extended weekends. This improves their overall job satisfaction with their organisation.
4. Improved work-life balance - With the new work arrangements, including flexible work hours and work-from-home options, workers now manage their personal and professional commitments better, leading to a more satisfying balance between work and personal life.
5. Attracting and retaining talent - Offering a four-day workweek makes job offers more attractive to candidates, who increasingly seek flexibility and well-being over higher salary packages.
6. Environmental benefits - As conveyed by e&’s Dena, the four-day workweek leads to fewer commuting days and reduced resource consumption, thereby contributing to net zero emissions, and sustainability goals.