UAE Federal employees with school-going children can adjust working hours for school drop-offs and pickups, while parents of nursery and kindergarten children receive flexibility during the first week.
WEBDESK – SharjahNews.ae
Federal government employees in the UAE will receive greater flexibility in their working hours as schools reopen, under measures aimed at helping working parents manage their children’s return to the classroom.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said employees with children in primary school and above may adjust their arrival or departure times on their child’s first day of school.
The arrangement is intended to enable parents to accompany their children to school and manage pickup or return-home arrangements as families begin the new academic year.
The flexibility will be subject to the procedures of individual federal government entities and will require approval from an employee’s direct manager. The policy also takes into account that school reopening dates may vary depending on each institution’s curriculum.
Support for nursery and kindergarten parents
Parents with children attending nurseries and kindergartens will receive additional flexibility during the first week of the academic year.
Eligible employees may adjust their arrival and departure times according to the starting date of their child’s nursery or kindergarten, subject to workplace procedures and management approval.
The measures form part of the UAE Cabinet-approved Back to School Policy, which has been circulated among ministries and federal government entities.
The initiative is designed to support employees as families adjust to new school routines while ensuring government services and operations continue without disruption.
Leave for school events and commitments
The policy also allows federal government entities to establish internal arrangements for employees who need to attend important school-related commitments.
These may include parent-teacher meetings, graduation ceremonies, school events and other activities involving their children.
Employees may be granted authorised absence for such occasions, depending on the rules and procedures established by their respective federal entity.
Authorities stressed that any flexibility or authorised absence must be managed in line with federal government human resources legislation and without affecting public services or operational continuity.
The arrangements were introduced under the UAE’s Flexible Work Policy, which has been in place since 2024.
The policy reflects broader efforts to help government employees balance professional and family responsibilities, particularly during significant periods such as the beginning of a new academic year.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said it will continue supporting federal entities in implementing the policy and ensuring employees can benefit from approved flexibility while maintaining effective government operations.
