Saudi Arabia Considers 3-Day Weekend: Reports

Saudi Arabia is investigating a switch to a three-day weekend, according to media reports in the Kingdom.

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is looking into a switch to a four-day working week and three-day weekend, says the Al Madina newspaper.

The ministry said that the labour system in the Kingdom is currently under review and any changes would need to take job creation targets under consideration.

Saudi Arabia 3-day weekend

The comments were made in response to a question on Twitter.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development aims to make working in Saudi Arabia more attractive as it looks to lure local and international investment.

Weekends in the Kingdom are typically a Friday and Saturday for most major organisations.

Moving to a 3-day weekend in parts of the UAE has been declared a success, with productivity increasing and the amount of sick leave being taken by employees being slashed.

Government agencies in Sharjah moved to a four-day working week in January last year.

The Sharjah Executive Council eeviewed a study of the three-day weekend work system and results showed an increase in employees productivity in 88 percent across Government entities.

The change to the working week also led to:

• 81 percent increase in positive communication between employees
• 61 percent increase in the rate of providing e-government services outside of official working hours
• 74 percent increase in the attendance rate
• 76 percent increase in innovation and creativity
• 46 percent decrease in sick leave rate