(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Published: Friday, August 23, 2024 2:46 PM
Last updated: Friday, August 23, 2024, 9:46 p.m.
Parents working in the UAE are already making plans for the first day of school next week, with some telling their bosses they will be late.
Authorities said on Thursday they would introduce flextime working for some civil servants as part of a back-to-school policy. It does not apply to private companies, but some companies in the sector have set up alternative work schedules to help employees with children in school.
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The scheme does not apply to private companies, although some companies in this sector offer flexible working arrangements to their employees.
Huda A., a mother from the United Arab Emirates who works in real estate, was able to ask her boss for flexible working hours, “but I have to make up the time I miss work,” she said.
“I have two daughters who go to different schools so I have to drop them off and then I’ll be coming home by bus in the afternoon,” she added.
Her Indian father, Winnie Agate, had already let them know he would be starting work later than usual.
“I have to drop my daughter off at 7.30am but my work starts at 8am so it’s not a problem. With my son in kindergarten it’s harder as both parents have to be in the classroom for an hour and a half. Then I have to take him home before heading to work, which takes about three hours,” he said.
Others have to make other adjustments, especially if they have multiple children attending school on different days.
Mariam H., a private sector worker from the United Arab Emirates, said: “I have two daughters who start work on different days this week – one on Monday and the other on Wednesday. I have spoken to my boss and will be coming into the office late on Wednesday after dropping off my daughters.”
She added: “My husband works for the Dubai Municipality and has flexible hours so he takes our daughter to school on Mondays so he doesn’t have to take time off.”
“I’m not going to miss this monumental moment.”
For Emirati mother Halima Abdullah, dropping off her children at school on the first day of the new term is a major event that can make or break the day. It’s a “milestone moment” she doesn’t want to miss, so she was grateful when the government announced flexible working hours for civil servants.
“I have two children who go to different schools. The three-hour break will be very helpful as it will give me more time to drop my daughter, who is in first grade, off at school and help her feel safe,” said Haleema, who works at the Ministry of Education.
The Federal Office of Human Resources (FAHR) has allowed civil servants to work flexible hours to allow them to take their children to and from campus on the first day of the new semester.
The system also applies to important events during the school year, from parent-teacher meetings to graduation ceremonies. The flexible hours do not exceed three hours and can be worked in one go or split between morning and afternoon shifts. Families with children in nursery or kindergarten can take advantage of the flexible hours for the entire first week of the school year.
Hussain Mohammed, who works at Dubai Municipality, has already planned his day.
“My daughter is an only child so I always take her to school on the first day. I want to support her. I’m not worried because I get nine hours of holiday every month at work,” he said.
See also:
UAE: With three days left until students return to school, schools see last-minute enrolments UAE announces flexible working hours for some government employees on first day of new term UAE: Flexible working hours for government employees. Which emirates will apply the back-to-term rules?
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