Weekends usually mean Saturday and Sunday off, followed by the familiar Monday morning return to work. But did you know that this routine is not followed everywhere? In several countries, Sunday is a regular working day, while others observe Friday as a weekly holiday. Some even have two non-consecutive days off.
These differences reflect religious traditions, economic priorities and government policies. Saudi Arabia observes Friday and Saturday as its official weekend, with government offices operating from Sunday to Thursday. Bangladesh follows a Sunday-to-Thursday working week, with Friday and Saturday designated as weekly holidays for government offices.
The country switched from a Thursday-Friday weekend in June 2013 to improve coordination with international markets and regional business partners, according to the Saudi Press Agency . An April 2026 government notification reaffirmed this arrangement, according to the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . The United Arab Emirates introduced a Saturday-Sunday weekend for federal government employees in January 2022.
Sharjah government employees work Monday to Thursday, enjoying a three-day weekend from Friday to Sunday, according to the UAE government’s official website . Government employees generally work from Monday to Thursday and again on Saturday, with Friday and Sunday off, according to the UK government’s guidance on doing business in Brunei.
