UAE's recent 4.5-day workweek announcement has received a huge welcome from countries across the world. From a “game-changer” to a “health booster”, the move will help in greater productivity and economic payoff. A longer weekend will also help citizens and residents to enhance work-life balance and recalibrate their lives

Here's what doctors, psychologists and professionals in 9-to-5 jobs have to say about the latest development:

Health benefits

Dr Dirar Abdullah, chair of medicine and consultant Internal medicine, Prime Hospital, noted that a less stressful life have greater health gains. Hectic lifestyles with less relaxing time result in a lot of illnesses, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), gastritis, hypertension, diabetes, migraines, dizziness, chronic fatigue and insomnia, he added. 

He stated that the initial symptoms of such illnesses are directly activated when a person is stressed with office work. It leaves them little to no time for a nutritionally-balanced meal, good hydration, restful sleep and proper exercise.

“In the private sector, usually people have a six-day week. We at Prime have introduced a five-day week for health care workers and we can see the tremendous health impact of this. Therefore, the people who have a four-and-a-half days working week will gain tremendously in conserving their health," he affirmed.

The longer weekend will provide additional time to people to reorganise and recalibrate their lives. It will help them in completing their errands on the half day and later two full days for recreational activities. People can also enjoy short holidays, follow a hobby, spend time with family or give rest to their body.

It will allow their cortisol levels to come down to enhance a healthy lifestyle. A refreshed and recharged people worked with more happiness and productivity.

Welcoming the new 4.5-day workweek, Nihal Abdelazim, a PR executive in Dubai, said that the new move will align their work internationally. She added that it will allow her to take time off, socialise and even shop for the things she need.

"I currently have a six-day workweek in the private sector. Many of our European and US-based clients would often call us on Friday and we would have video calls and be expected to work on Fridays as its a working day for them. It was difficult to get a clear weekend. Now, I am happy that my weekend will be aligned with theirs," Nihal added.

Wellness bonus

Arfa Banu, clinical psychologist, Aster Jubilee Medical Complex, Dubai, highlighted that in the past two years, an average working person has remained highly stressed due to the pandemic uncertainty. It furthered their stress and anxiety and negatively impacted their mental health.

 In this regard, she affirmed that the decision to introduce a four-and-a-half workweek will have a "healing impact" on people's lives and help them in maintaining work-life balance.

“Having over 50 hours at their disposal weekly will help people deflate their anxiety and stress levels, focus on happier events life, have leisure that will make them more productive at work," Banu said.

Ahmed Shafik Abu Nijem, head of marketing and sales at an energy solutions company, stated that the new workweek decision will allow them to align his work with his company headquarters in Zurich.

"This will mean no more weekend meetings on Friday and will give me a clear two-day weekend. That will give me time for my social and family life and overall, help me be calmer, fulfilled and productive at work," Abu Nijem said.

More time for leisure, retail

With more time in their hands, UAE population will have a better work-life balance and enhance productivity at workplaces.

Interestingly, new ways of consumer spending patterns will also emerge in the country's retail, leisure, and services sectors. Extra off hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will ensure leisure activities and help boost their business.

Consumer experiences

Consumers will seek more experiences and visits outside their homes. It will give new meanings to work and leisure culture in the country.

Meanwhile, retail industry representatives have stated that Thursday will continue to be a busy day for consumer activity, even with Friday turning into a half working day.

"Thursday’s status as one of the busier phases for shopping and leisure will remain intact," the representative said.

Changing habits

Consumer habits are expected to change during Sundays, noting that it is an unexplored territory for UAE consumers and retailers. New choices will emerge as consumer habits will evolve to absorb the transition to the UAE’s way of working. They are expected to spend more time on weekends.

Private sector welcomes change

Ted Raffoul, Career Products Leader MENA at Mercer, the decision in the public sector will result in a positive change for the private sector too.

"The move will also support a better work-life balance for UAE-based employees that work for and with global organisations," Raffoul added.

Shopping, dining

Consumer habits will change in the food and beverage (F&B) area. With the industry witnessing its toughest year in 2020, UAE's F&B businesses are expected to see a renewed taste for a chance at recovery in 2022.

“With the new weekend days announced, we expect Friday evenings will be busier than Thursday evenings,” said Rohith Muralya, Director at Concept Cuisine at SFC Group, which operates the India Palace restaurant chain and others.

Muralya is expecting Sunday brunches to be the new weekend thing. It will have a positive impact as soon as the private sector follows suit with the public sector.

“There is a lot that people in the hospitality industry will have to rework from a revenue management perspective, and for hotels to change their F&B strategy for weekend events," he added.

Now, businesses and consumers have until the early hours of January 1 (or January 3, 2022 - which is Monday) to experience the new way of work-life structure.