The Dubai Government Human Resources Department based the project on a comprehensive study that examined employee needs throughout their professional journey, according to a WAM report. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the department, said the project represents a strategic step in advancing government human capital. Al Falasi added that the effort stems from the belief that investing in people forms the foundation for a government that is more agile, resilient and future-ready.
The three initiatives include creation of the Dubai Government Employee Wellbeing Index with the Dubai Health Authority, introduction of a Financial Wellbeing Initiative and further development of flexible work systems, the department stated in the announcement. The wellbeing index will measure employee wellbeing levels, identify influencing factors and help entities design targeted programmes while tracking their impact over time. The financial literacy programme seeks to equip staff with skills to manage personal finances more effectively, thereby supporting greater stability and quality of life.
A study involving employees from multiple government bodies informed all three initiatives, WAM reported. The research included surveys, interviews and workshops that incorporated benchmarking against regional and international standards in human capital development. This evidence-based method ensures the framework addresses actual requirements rather than assumptions about workforce preferences.
Related flexible work measures have already demonstrated strong results, with the department reporting that 98 per cent of employees expressed happiness during the 2026 edition of the Our Flexible Summer programme. That initiative encompassed more than 24,000 staff members in 49 government entities, where 97 per cent of participants confirmed productivity levels held steady and 96 per cent noted unchanged service quality. These figures build on earlier employee happiness indices that averaged 86.7 per cent across Dubai government entities in 2024, according to the Dubai Government Excellence Programme.
The project aligns with the emirate’s broader achievements in government services, as a Boston Consulting Group survey placed the UAE first worldwide in citizen satisfaction with digital government offerings at 89 per cent. The same report, which gathered responses from 48,500 individuals in 44 countries, ranked the UAE first in adoption of such services with 53 per cent usage. Such performance highlights the connection between internal employee experience improvements and external service delivery standards.
Implementation will proceed through collaboration among government entities to activate the initiatives and share effective practices, the department indicated. The unified framework covers recruitment, development, engagement and retention phases to create consistent standards across the public sector. Participation from dozens of entities during the launch phase reflects the emphasis on collective ownership of the outcomes.