Dubai flexible working offers remote work, hybrid models and flexible hours

Dubai’s flexible working initiative reached more than 24,000 government employees across 49 entities, with flexible start and finish times the most popular option.

More than 24,000 Dubai Government employees across 49 entities took part in flexible working arrangements under the emirate’s Our Flexible Summer 2026 initiative.

Flexible start and finish times were the most widely adopted arrangement, accounting for 54 per cent of the total, followed by remote and hybrid working, according to results released by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR).

The 2026 programme has now concluded, with DGHR saying the results will help shape priorities for the next phase and support the continued development of flexible working approaches across the Government of Dubai.

The initiative has expanded significantly since it began as a pilot involving 21 government entities in 2024.

Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said: “The success of ‘Our Flexible Summer’ demonstrates that advancing the work environment requires practices that create greater value for both employees and government entities. The progress achieved across the different phases of the initiative provides us with a strong foundation to continue this journey, build on successful experiences to advance ways of working, and strengthen the ability of government entities to achieve their objectives efficiently, in line with Dubai’s ambitions and its leadership in shaping the future of government work.”

Dubai flexible working results revealed

Different government entities adopted working arrangements according to their operational requirements.

DGHR said flexible start and finish times represented 54 per cent of the arrangements adopted, followed by remote and hybrid working, with other approved flexible arrangements accounting for the remainder.

The results also showed that 99 per cent of participating entities reported raising employee awareness of working mechanisms, communication protocols and service delivery requirements.

Meanwhile, 95 per cent of employees benefiting from the initiative complied with the flexible working arrangements approved by their respective entities.

DGHR said service-oriented sectors used flexible arrangements while maintaining service readiness and continuity, while legal and institutional workplaces highlighted clear responsibilities and workplace discipline. Fast-paced sectors focused on managing priorities and improving teams’ ability to adapt.

Dubai Government considers future of flexible work

Azza Al Marzooqi, Director of the Human Resources Department at Dubai Municipality, said: “’Our Flexible Summer’ is a valuable practical experience that enables government entities to explore more flexible working models tailored to the nature of their responsibilities and operational requirements, while maintaining efficiency, quality, business continuity, and the standard of services provided to customers.

“It reinforces Dubai’s position as a global model for quality work environments and demonstrates its ability to advance government practices that place people at the heart of the ecosystem.

“At Dubai Municipality, we are committed to providing a work environment that offers our employees greater flexibility and comfort, enhances their satisfaction and happiness, and enables them to perform their roles more effectively. This, in turn, strengthens their productivity and positive impact, extending to the quality of services and the efficiency of projects across the Municipality’s areas of work, which directly contribute to the quality of life of Dubai’s residents.”

Nada Al Marri, Director of the Human Resources Department at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “This experience has demonstrated that flexibility, when underpinned by accountability and results, can contribute to enhancing performance efficiency while improving the employee experience. These models also support the development of a more flexible and attractive work environment that can keep pace with Dubai’s ambitions and the evolving requirements of its vital sectors, strengthening the future readiness of human capital in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”

Ahmed Essa Al Kandari, Director of Support services at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, said: “The experience has demonstrated that employees can be given greater flexibility in organising their working hours while maintaining commitment to their responsibilities and the quality of services provided to customers. This enhances the employee experience and supports a work culture built on trust and results, while contributing to the future readiness of government entities.”

Flexible Summer expands from 21 Dubai entities

Our Flexible Summer began as a pilot involving 21 Dubai Government entities in 2024.

DGHR said the pilot produced positive results in productivity and workplace quality, with employee satisfaction and happiness levels of approximately 98 per cent.

The programme was subsequently expanded across Dubai Government entities in 2025 and 2026.

DGHR said the latest results provide a practical basis for identifying successful approaches and will inform priorities for the next phase as it continues to develop flexible working models across Dubai Government.