Some UAE firms are extending the Christmas break into the New Year

Some companies in the UAE are introducing longer Christmas breaks that extend into early January, temporarily suspending non-essential activities to give employees time to properly switch off after a demanding year, while keeping essential services running at reduced capacity.

Beyond officially declared public holidays, this approach highlights a growing preference for planned year-end shutdowns that align with international business schedules. At BCD Global, for example, the company implements a structured wellbeing pause shortly after Christmas. Jasna Bedi, Chairperson of the Family Office at BCD Global, explained that the organisation typically closes from December 26 until the first working days of January.

During this time, most operations are put on hold so staff can fully disconnect, while key functions continue through limited, rotational coverage when necessary. She noted that this model helps maintain business continuity without placing unnecessary demands on the broader workforce.

The move toward an extended break was influenced by the intensity that often builds toward the end of the year. Dr Angad Bedi, Chairman of BCD Global, said the decision reflects a long-term commitment to employee wellbeing and sustainable performance rather than short-term productivity.

According to him, year-end periods often follow months of sustained pressure, and a planned pause allows employees to recover, manage fatigue, and return to work with renewed focus. He added that the initiative works alongside UAE labour regulations and supports the idea that long-term success depends on balance, not constant momentum.

Dr Bedi also pointed out that employers worldwide are becoming more aware of how burnout affects productivity, engagement, and decision-making. By addressing these challenges early, he said, companies can strengthen both employee wellbeing and organisational resilience.

For businesses operating across multiple countries, coordinated year-end closures also offer practical benefits. Dr Bedi explained that such breaks help synchronise teams across regions where similar shutdowns are common, allowing organisations to wrap up the year in an orderly way and restart together in January. This, he added, supports better planning and collaboration and reflects the UAE’s broader alignment with global business practices, including recent changes to the workweek and labour policies.

In the UAE, public holidays are announced each year for both public and private sectors, based on either the Gregorian or Islamic calendar. While Christmas Day is not an official federal holiday, companies are free to introduce their own internal leave arrangements.

HR professionals say that planned shutdowns also make it easier to manage expectations with clients and partners. Dubai-based HR consultant Rouda Mahmoud told Insider18 that advance notice reduces pressure on employees to remain available during what is meant to be a rest period.

She added that defined closures can be simpler than managing overlapping leave requests across departments. When many employees want time off simultaneously, a company-wide shutdown allows teams to plan workloads, client communication, and handovers more effectively, rather than dealing with last-minute approvals and reduced staffing.

Although not all organisations extend Christmas leave into the New Year, several offices across the UAE grant internal leave on December 25 and, in some cases, December 26, creating a longer weekend.

Robert Adams, a senior HR manager based in Dubai, said fixed shutdown periods help eliminate inconsistencies in leave approvals and prevent perceptions of unfairness. When time off is standardised, he explained, employees know well in advance which days are covered, reducing internal tension and difficult discussions during an already busy period.