The shorter workday gives many parents in the UAE an opportunity to strengthen family bonds, beyond being a simple policy adjustment.
The UAE’s decision to shorten private-sector working hours by two hours daily during Ramadan has been widely welcomed by families, who say it will allow more quality time together and help balance work, worship, and home life.
On February 12, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced that all private-sector employees across the UAE will follow reduced working hours during Ramadan. The move aligns with the Implementing Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships and its amendments.
The ministry also confirmed that companies may offer flexible working arrangements or remote work options, depending on business needs, within the framework of the reduced daily hours for Ramadan.
More Time for Family
For many working parents, the shorter workday during Ramadan is more than just a policy change — it’s an opportunity to reconnect with family.
For working mother Laila Ahmend, the adjustment promises a significant impact on her household. “It will make a big difference. My husband and I both work, and this will give us more time together as a family. We may even have the chance to visit our extended family, since we live far from them because of our jobs,” she said.
Laila also believes the reduced hours are better suited to the physical demands of fasting. “As people who are fasting, the shorter hours will help us focus on what is important at work. Fasting is beneficial for health, but reducing working hours makes it simpler and more manageable, especially when returning home to attend to religious duties and other responsibilities,” she added.
She highlighted the benefits of flexible or remote work during Ramadan, noting it enhances both comfort and productivity. “When employees feel at ease, they are more productive. With limited hours, they focus on completing tasks efficiently, then have meaningful time for family, worship, or rest. That psychological comfort is very important.”
Laila expects the change to strengthen family traditions. “Families will be less exhausted, so gatherings and traditions like iftar will likely increase,” she said.
A Familiar Rhythm
For some, the shorter Ramadan schedule is already a familiar routine. “I don’t think it will affect us much. We have been used to this for years. In the past, it was even five hours; now it is six, not eight. It is still better than regular working days,” said Ghaya Faisal.
Her family typically spends the first hours after work resting, reading the Quran, and engaging in worship before preparing for iftar.
While she doesn’t believe the shorter hours necessarily boost productivity, fasting itself sharpens her focus. “Fasting increases my concentration and improves my performance in achieving my goals. I think part of it is the tranquility that accompanies the holy month and the calmer work environment due to fewer employees being present,” she said.
Ghaya stressed that flexibility remains essential. “Flexibility is very important, especially in a blessed month when everyone competes in good deeds. As long as work is completed and operations run smoothly, there is no reason to complicate matters.”
She noted that working mothers may benefit the most. “The biggest positive impact is on working wives and mothers. Even if responsibilities do not increase, reorganising them during Ramadan is different due to fasting hours. The reduced workday allows more time to prepare iftar, spend time with children, worship, and visit relatives.”
More Quality Time with Loved Ones
Mouhab Khalid, who lives in a household with two working parents, described the change as transformative. “The two hours for each of us will help us gather earlier and have more quality time together. In Ramadan, we will visit other families and friends, spreading positive energy,” he said.
On regular days, family members often arrive home at different times and end up eating alone. “We live together but not actually together. Everyone comes home at different times and eats alone. That is painful,” he said, adding that the reduced hours will allow them to break their fast together more consistently.
Khalid believes the shorter workday can motivate employees to complete tasks efficiently. “Sometimes it pushes me to finish as much as possible to free my mind from work before going home. Personally, I also feel more energetic with Ramadan’s eating routine and timings,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of flexibility in physically demanding sectors such as construction. “Fasting can increase fatigue, especially in fields like construction. Remote work for some staff, flexible hours, or alternative working days can improve safety. Fatigue affects driving, office work and on-site tasks,” he said, adding that similar considerations apply in medical and other essential sectors.
Reclaiming Shared Moments
Across households, one theme stands out — the desire to reclaim shared moments. By allowing employees to leave work earlier, the policy is expected to strengthen Ramadan traditions such as communal iftar, congregational prayers, and social visits. With more time and less exhaustion, families can fully embrace the spiritual and social dimensions of the holy month.
As the UAE prepares to observe Ramadan under the revised schedule, many residents see the decision not just as a regulatory adjustment, but as a meaningful step toward enhancing wellbeing, productivity, and family unity during one of the most significant periods of the year.
