UAE public holidays: Monday, January 3, first working day of 2022 due to weekend change

Government reminds public that there is an extra holiday on Sunday, January 2

Federal government departments in the UAE will change their working week from January 1, 2022, with much of the country expected to follow suit.

The new Monday to Friday working week will mean residents have a two-and-a-half-day weekend. Silvia Razgova / The National

Abu Dhabi and Dubai were the first emirates to adopt the weekend change with RAK, Fujairah and Sharjah following suit. Ravindranath K / The National

The weekend change means many institutions are rethinking their schedules. Some schools have already said they will adjust timetables accordingly. Ruel Pablo for The National

Banks and financial institutions, such as the Dubai Financial Market, will work Monday to Friday. EPA

Questions remain over the new weekend changes, which will affect residents' schedules and way of life. Photo: Raffles Hotel Dubai

Sports calendars are likely to be affected. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mosques will hold Friday sermons and prayers at a fixed time, 1.15pm, with government employees having the option to work from home on this day. Satish Kumar / The National

Monday, January 3, will be the first day back to work in 2022 after a bumper holiday weekend, the government has reminded the public.

As announced earlier this month, the country will enjoy an extra public holiday on Sunday, January 2, as the new working week takes shape.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said Saturday and Sunday, January 1 and 2, are days off for the public sector. Private sector holidays are now the same as the public sector.

Much of the country, including federal and local government as well as schools, will move to a Monday to Friday working week, with Friday as a half day. Saturday and Sunday will be the new weekend for many.

Although many private-sector employers have yet to formally make the shift, most are expected to do so by January.