Government working hours to return to normal in early September

Abdullah Al-Rakan Government entities are set to return to their previous official working hours schedule starting September 1, following the end of the summer working hours system, which is in effect until August 31, according to Circular No. (11) of 2026 issued by the Civil Service Bureau regarding the official working hours system during the summer season.

Sources told Al-Anbaa that the end of the summer working hours period means a return to the usual morning and afternoon shifts, in accordance with the systems and regulations in place before the summer reduction began. They noted that working hours in the morning shift will return to their previous level of seven hours per day.

The sources added that the circular issued by the Civil Service Bureau specified the summer working hours period from June 1 to August 31, 2026, after which the morning and afternoon shifts will revert to their usual status in accordance with legally applicable regulations. They clarified that the summer working hours system included a reduction of one hour from the standard official working hours schedule, bringing actual working hours to six hours per day, while continuing to apply grace periods and other regulations prescribed for official working hours.

It was pointed out that the return to the previous system will also include adherence to the approved regulations and timings for morning and afternoon shifts, while continuing to apply systems specific to categories and entities subject to different working regulations based on the nature of their work.

The sources emphasized that the return will take effect automatically upon the expiration of the period specified in the circular, unless a new decision or circular is issued to regulate working hours or decide on their continuation.