Dubai is set to revolutionize its public sector with two significant initiatives: a pilot program for a four-day work week during the summer months and the development of a comprehensive smart application, Dubai Now, to streamline access to thousands of government services. These moves underscore Dubai’s commitment to enhancing employee well-being, improving quality of life for residents, and leveraging technology for greater efficiency.
Four-Day Work Week Pilot Program
Dubai’s government is launching the ‘Our Flexible Summer’ initiative, a pilot project designed to reduce working hours for employees in participating government entities. This aims to foster a better work-life balance and improve overall employee well-being during the summer period.
- Duration: August 12, 2024, to September 30, 2024.
- Work Schedule: Four days a week, seven hours a day, with Fridays off.
- Participating Entities: At least 15 government entities.
- Objectives:
- Enhance employee social life and workplace safety.
- Promote work-life balance.
- Align with the ‘Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033’.
- Reduce energy consumption within government departments.
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the DGHR Department, emphasized that this initiative aligns with efforts to cultivate a flexible work environment and empower human resources through innovative policies. A survey conducted prior to the launch revealed strong support for reduced summer working hours among government entities.
Dubai Now: The Smart Government Services App
Dubai is also developing ‘Dubai Now’, an intelligent personal assistant application designed to be a single point of access for a vast array of government services. This app aims to simplify interactions between residents and government entities, providing personalized and efficient service delivery.
- Scope: Access to 2,000 government services from 19 different entities.
- Features:
- Personalized dashboard with updates and customized information.
- Notifications for traffic congestion via the Roads and Transport Authority’s Journey Planner.
- Integration of 25 micro-apps across 11 categories.
- Utilizes big data analytics to tailor services to individual user behavior.
- Benefits:
- Streamlined access to services, eliminating the need for multiple logins across different applications.
- Improved user experience through personalized recommendations and actions.
- Enhanced efficiency and convenience for residents.
Ahmed Bin Humaidan, Director-General of Dubai Smart Government (DSG), highlighted that Dubai Now is built on the principles of big data to improve the lifestyle in Dubai as a smart city. The app is part of DSG’s broader strategy to raise the happiness index of residents by offering smart, integrated services.