Batool Ghaith (Abu Dhabi)
Abu Dhabi government employees can now take up to six months of entrepreneurship leave to launch startups while retaining their public sector jobs, a senior official told Aletihad, explaining the details of a new HR legislation.
The Abu Dhabi Government's new Human Resources Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2026, introduces merit-based recruitment and promotion systems, flexible work models, and personal development initiatives as part of a broader effort to position the government as an employer of choice for high-performing professionals.
Among its most notable provisions is the entrepreneurship leave, which allows employees to pursue business ventures without having to give up their careers in government.
"Trust, flexibility and belief in potential [shape] our new entrepreneurship leave," Mariam Mohamed AlMusharrekh, Director General of GovTalent at the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE), told Aletihad in an interview.
Explaining the details, AlMusharrekh said that under this initiative, "an ambitious researcher" can spend up to six months launching a startup, after which they can either return to their post or continue carving out their own path as an entrepreneur.
"They can return as an innovator who can implement their fresh insights, expanded network and a deeper sense of agility and strategic thinking. Or they may continue to thrive in the private sector, continuing to drive Abu Dhabi's growth in a different way," she said.
The idea of giving employees greater flexibility and control over their lives stems from a mindset that, as AlMusharrekh put it, "the most talented professionals have choices".
"We know they value environments that support their whole lives – not just their job titles," she said.
This same concept and philosophy informed other people-centric provisions of the legislation. AlMusharrekh said the law expands flexible work arrangements, including compressed schedules, remote work options, and enhanced parental leave provisions, such as doubled paternity leave and extended maternity support.
"The law recognises that our government employees have ambitions, responsibilities and lives beyond their desks," she said, noting that the legislation coincides with the UAE's Year of Family.
It is this genuine focus on holistic growth, family wellbeing, and personal development that "creates better, more motivated professionals", she added.
Encouraging Individuals to Reach Full Potential
While set against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi's technological ambitions, this new HR law is ultimately about people.
"As we implement our vision of becoming the world's first AI-native government by 2027, we recognise that we need to establish an employment framework that prioritises and supports government employees' wellbeing and careers in equal measure," AlMusharrekh said.
She pointed out that the law aims to attract and retain exceptional talent in government by investing heavily in employee development, rewarding excellence and creating an environment that encourages individuals to reach their full potential.
A key element of this approach is a transition toward meritocracy, shifting advancement pathways away from traditional tenure-based systems toward performance, capability, and measurable impact.
"We have evolved our approach and now place a greater focus on talent, capability and results. While experience remains valuable, progression today is increasingly shaped by performance, and the impact individuals deliver," AlMusharrekh said.
Through accelerated promotion pathways and performance-based allowances, the system is designed to identify and reward high performers more quickly, while creating clearer opportunities for exceptional talent to move into leadership positions, according to AlMusharrekh.
"This helps outstanding contributors move into leadership roles faster, while keeping our ecosystem agile and innovative," she said.
The DGE plays a central role in ensuring the wider workforce is aligned with the emirate's ambitions.
"DGE acts as the enabler across the ecosystem - and this law is a cross-government commitment to invest in our people to continuously deliver public services that truly benefit every community," AlMusharrekh said.
The department provides training programmes, shared platforms, and frameworks that encourage Abu Dhabi government employees to think boldly and build exceptional careers in public service.
"By upskilling our workforce and building a culture of continuous development, DGE enables Abu Dhabi Government employees to focus on their core mission, delivering effortless, human-centric services to citizens and residents," she added.