As thousands of students go back to school in the UAE, many parents were given flexible work options such as flexible working hours or the option to work from home to accommodate dropping off their kids. One such parent, Luis Carreno, a Dubai resident and Jiu Jitsu coach, was grateful for the time off to drop his daughters off at school. He enjoyed making precious memories with his daughters on their first day back at school. Similarly, Abu Dhabi resident Salam A had the option to work from home for the entire week to coordinate school drop-offs for his younger daughter’s first week of school.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announced that government employees would have flexible working hours to drop off their kids on Monday and those with children in nursery and kindergarten could avail of the flexibility for the entire week. This also applied to special school events throughout the year. This flexibility was greatly appreciated by working parents like Executive admin Umm Saad, who was able to drop her son off at school without the stress of back-to-school traffic and rush. Colleague Eijaz Hussain also used the ‘Happy 2 Hour Leave’ to drop his three children off at school and enjoy quality time with them.
Many private companies in the UAE also provided flexible work options for parents during the back-to-school period. Indian mother Manjula Manoj found this week tough as she juggled dropping off her children at school and being at the office on time. Emirati mother M.K. also faced challenges with three kids starting school on different days but was grateful for work flexibility to ease the transition. The flexibility offered by both government and private sectors allowed parents to balance work and family responsibilities during the busy back-to-school season.
The option for flexible work hours and the ability to work from home during the back-to-school period in the UAE allowed parents to spend valuable time with their children during this transition. Many parents appreciated the opportunity to drop off their kids at school, make lasting memories, and adjust to the new school routine. The support from companies and government entities in providing these flexible work options show a commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance in the UAE. As parents navigate the challenges of the back-to-school season, these flexible work arrangements serve as a valuable resource to help manage both work and family responsibilities effectively.
Overall, the back-to-school period in the UAE brought about a significant change in work dynamics for many parents, with flexible work hours and work-from-home options being offered to facilitate dropping off children at school. This support from employers not only alleviated the stress of juggling work and family responsibilities but also allowed parents to be present during important moments in their children’s school journey. As the academic year progresses, it is evident that these flexible work arrangements play a crucial role in promoting work-life balance and employee well-being in the UAE.
