Dubai: Federal government employees in the UAE will be able to benefit from flexible working hours as children return to school for the 2026–2027 academic year, under the Back-to-School policy circulated by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR).The circular sets out the provisions available to employees of ministries and federal entities, including flexibility to report to and leave work to accompany their children to and from school or home.Up to three hours on the first school dayParents of children in primary school and above can benefit from flexible reporting and departure times on the first school day of the new academic year.The flexibility must not exceed a total of three hours on that day and is intended to allow employees to accompany their children to and from school or home.The policy also takes into account different school start dates, depending on the school's curriculum and notes that the flexible hours will be granted in accordance with the regulations applicable at the employee’s federal entity and are subject to the approval of the direct manager.Nursery and kindergarten parents: Flexibility during first weekEmployees with children attending nurseries and kindergartens can benefit from flexible reporting and departure times throughout the first week of the new academic year, to accompany their children to and from the nursery or home.However, the total flexibility available is capped at three hours across the entire first week.Different start dates based on the curriculum prescribed for the nursery or kindergarten will also be taken into consideration. As with the first-school-day provision, the flexibility is subject to the entity’s applicable regulations and approval from the employee’s direct manager.Up to three hours for parent meetings and school eventsThe circular also notes that federal entities are required to issue the necessary internal regulations to enable employees to support their school-going children, provided this does not affect continuity of work or conflict with the Human Resources Law in the Federal Government.Employees may be granted permission for up to three hours to attend parents’ meetings at their children’s schools.They may also be granted permission for up to three hours to attend their children’s graduation ceremonies, special occasions and activities.FAHR said it would continue to support federal entities with matters related to implementing the provisions of the policy.
