The UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has introduced temporary flexible working arrangements for federal government employees to help parents support their children as the 2026–2027 academic year gets underway.
Under Circular No. 12 of 2026, issued on August 25, employees at ministries and federal entities can adjust their reporting and departure times on their children’s first day of school to accompany them to or from school or home.
The flexibility is capped at three hours on the first school day, with federal entities required to account for differences in school opening dates depending on the curricula and schedules set by the relevant authorities.
Employees will need to comply with the internal policies of their respective federal entity and secure approval from their direct manager before using the arrangement.
The provisions also extend to parents of children attending nurseries and kindergartens. During the first week of the academic year, employees may adjust their working hours to accompany their children to and from nursery or home, with the total flexibility limited to three hours across the week.
Different start dates for nurseries and kindergartens will also be taken into consideration, while employees remain subject to their entity’s internal regulations and managerial approval.
Beyond the start of the academic year, FAHR has asked federal entities to establish arrangements that allow employees to support their school-going children at other academic-related events, provided these do not affect business continuity or conflict with the Federal Government Human Resources Law.
Employees may also receive up to three hours to attend parent meetings at their children’s schools in accordance with the Parents’ Councils Regulation. A similar three-hour allowance can be provided for graduation ceremonies and other special events and activities involving their children.
The measures reflect the UAE government’s broader focus on creating greater flexibility for federal employees while recognising family responsibilities.
At the same time, the policy places responsibility on individual federal entities to ensure that flexibility does not disrupt the delivery of government services.
FAHR said it will continue to support federal entities in implementing the new arrangements and related provisions, giving government departments flexibility to accommodate employees’ family responsibilities while maintaining operational continuity.
