The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources on Thursday issued a special circular announcing its back-to-school policy, which was approved by the UAE Cabinet.

Under the policy, parents — who are federal government employees — shall be granted flexible work hours on the first day of the new school year and during the first week for those with children in nurseries and kindergartens.

According to federal human resources law, special hours cannot disrupt an entity's work processes or services

The aim, it added, is to improve the quality of employees' lives and boost job satisfaction and happiness.

Here are the back-to-school policy provisions:

On the first day of school (elementary level and above):

Employees are granted flexibility in attendance and departure on the first school day so they can accompany their children.

The flexibility duration shall not exceed a total of 3 hours on the first school day.

Differences in the start of school days are considered.

During the first week, those with children in nursery and kindergarten can work flexible hours:

Employees are granted flexibility during the first week of the school year for the purpose of taking their children to and from the nursery or home.

The duration of leaving work to attend to children shall not exceed a total of 3 hours daily.

School-related flexible hours for other occasions and circumstances:

There are certain circumstances in which employees may leave work for a period of no more than 3 hours, including:

To attend parent-teacher meetings at their children's schools.

To attend graduation events, occasions, and activities related to their children.