Workweek returning to five days in UAE offices is considered 'unavoidable' according to local employment specialists
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is experiencing a significant transformation in the way work is conducted, with a strong shift towards remote and hybrid work models. This trend, driven by government policies, infrastructure investments, and strategic initiatives, is set to continue as part of the country's strategic economic vision and evolving workplace culture.
According to Oliver Kowalski, regional managing director at Hays Middle East, companies could risk losing top talent if they are inflexible about working conditions. The hybrid model that combines working from home and the office, as highlighted in the report titled Remote Working in the UAE, is seen as a solution to this issue, with the potential to increase productivity.
The UAE government has been a key player in this transition. In 2025, it expanded its federal remote work policy to allow employees to work remotely, even from outside the country. This move aims to increase productivity and tap into global talent pools. The UAE's strategic positioning as a global hub for digital and remote work aligns with its goals in innovation and digital economy expansion.
The country's digital infrastructure, including high-speed internet and extensive co-working spaces, facilitates effective remote work. Moreover, the introduction of digital nomad and virtual working visas allows remote workers to live in the UAE while working for foreign employers.
Economic and workplace advantages also contribute to the trend. Remote work reduces company costs on office space and overheads, enhances productivity by minimizing distractions, and expands the talent pool internationally. Employees benefit from better work-life balance and flexibility.
However, a survey by KPMG CEO Outlook revealed that almost two-thirds of chief executives and business leaders around the world expect a full return to companies working solely from the office within three years. This contrasts with the UAE's emphasis on hybrid and remote work.
Nevin Lewis, chief executive of Black & Grey HR, stated that SMEs in the UAE find full-time, disengaged remote teams unsustainable due to costs associated with visas, medical cover, family benefits, and housing. This could explain why many companies in the UAE are expected to require staff to work solely in the office during the working week.
Despite this, Oliver Kowalski warns that companies that insist on a five-day office week may find it harder to recruit new employees or retain existing ones. The hybrid model, with its potential to increase inclusivity, workforce well-being, and the potential talent available to a company, is seen as a more sustainable solution.
The perception that staff are more efficient when working on-site with their colleagues is a main reason for companies moving away from remote working. However, many employers have recognized the value of in-office work, particularly for fostering company culture, strengthening employee identification with the organization, and enabling peer-to-peer learning.
The UAE government supports remote working practices, with companies that offer hybrid working having a powerful advantage over those that do not. High-profile firms such as Amazon, HSBC, X, and JP Morgan require staff to spend all five working days operating from the office. However, flexible hybrid models, like those implemented by Jessica Taylor at property consultants Cavendish Maxwell and Priyanka Dalvi at Airpay Payment Services, are also gaining popularity.
In conclusion, the UAE is actively transforming traditional office-based work towards hybrid and remote models. While a full return to a five-day office week is unlikely, the focus should be on finding a rhythm that feels right for each business situation, not necessarily choosing between remote or in-office work.
- The UAE's shift towards remote and hybrid work models is supported by the government's policy expansions, allowing employees to work remotely and even from outside the country.
- Companies that embrace the hybrid work model, combining working from home and the office, could potentially increase productivity and retain top talent, as per Oliver Kowalski, regional managing director at Hays Middle East.
- The UAE's strategic positioning as a global hub for digital and remote work aligns with its goals in innovation, digital economy expansion, and workplace-wellness, improving health-and-wellness and work-life balance for employees.
- Despite the push towards remote and hybrid work, a KPMG CEO Outlook survey suggested that nearly two-thirds of global CEOs and business leaders expect a full return to office-based work within three years.
- While some companies perceive on-site work as key to fostering company culture and peer-to-peer learning, others like Jessica Taylor at Cavendish Maxwell and Priyanka Dalvi at Airpay Payment Services have successfully implemented flexible hybrid models.
- With the economic advantages of remote work and the benefits for workforce well-being and flexibility, companies that insist on a five-day office week may find it challenging to attract and retain talent in a competitive business and careers landscape.
