Country workweek guide
Add business days UAE Sun Thu
Need to add business days UAE Sun Thu without guessing which weekend applies? This guide explains the Fri–Sat weekend pattern, how to exclude weekends and holidays, and how a Sun–Thu workweek changes results in the business day calculator.
Published: December 28, 2025 · Updated: December 28, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
- Educational purposes only; not legal or financial advice.
- Examples are illustrative and simplified.
- Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.
- Working weeks and public holidays can vary by employer and sector.
- See the Privacy Policy; do not share personal data.
Quick answer: add business days UAE Sun Thu
- A business day depends on your working week, not just the calendar.
- Many UAE teams use a Sun–Thu workweek with Fri–Sat as the weekend.
- Set the weekend pattern first, then add public holidays or company closures as needed.
Sun–Thu workweek and why it changes results
Shifting the weekend shifts which dates are skipped. A Sun–Thu workweek means Friday and Saturday are excluded, so a deadline that would land on a Monday in a Sat–Sun calendar might land on a Sunday here. Some sectors or multinational teams may follow different patterns, so confirm the rule before counting.
How to set weekend patterns for UAE timelines
Start by choosing the weekend rule that matches your contract or workflow. If a Fri–Sat weekend preset exists, select it. Otherwise, pick a custom pattern and tick Friday and Saturday. Holidays are separate, so add national or company dates after setting the weekend to keep exclude weekends and holidays in sync.
Worked examples: Sun–Thu vs Sat–Sun
Example A: Add 5 business days starting on Thursday (Fri–Sat weekend)
Inputs: start Thursday, add 5 business days, weekend Fri–Sat, no holidays. Result: following Thursday.
Example B: Add 10 business days for an operations timeline
Inputs: start Monday, add 10 business days, weekend Fri–Sat, no holidays. Result: two Thursdays later.
Example C: Shipping estimate with different destination weekend
Inputs: start Tuesday, add 7 business days, origin weekend Fri–Sat, destination weekend Sat–Sun. If you align to destination weekend, the result moves one day because Saturday becomes a working day.
Ops and shipping use cases
- Warehouse handoff windows in a Sun–Thu workweek.
- Courier collection cutoffs when Friday is a weekend day.
- Procurement lead times across regions with different weekends.
- Support SLAs that promise response within business days.
- Customer delivery estimates where origin and destination calendars differ.
What to set in the calculator
- Set the weekend pattern first (Fri–Sat or a custom selection).
- Select a holiday preset if available, or add custom holidays.
- Choose add or subtract mode for the business day calculator.
- Decide inclusive counting and final day adjustment rules.
- Document the weekend, holidays, and any assumptions you used.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving weekend set to Sat–Sun for a Fri–Sat environment.
- Mixing origin and destination calendars in shipping estimates.
- Forgetting company closure days or sector specific rules.
- Not adding public holidays after changing the weekend pattern.
- Failing to note which workweek pattern was used in the timeline.
- Confusing weekend adjustment with inclusive counting toggles.
FAQ
What is a Sun–Thu workweek?
It is a schedule where business days run Sunday through Thursday and Friday–Saturday are weekend days.
Is Friday a weekend day in the UAE?
Often yes, but check your organisation or contract wording to be sure.
Can I set a Fri–Sat weekend in the calculator?
Yes. Use a custom weekend pattern and tick Friday and Saturday before running the calculation.
Do holidays still apply with a custom weekend?
Yes. Holidays are separate from weekends, so add the correct list after setting the weekend rule.
Why did my result change when I switched weekend pattern?
Different weekend rules skip different days, so the counted business days land on a new date.
Can I subtract business days with a Sun–Thu workweek?
Yes. Subtract mode uses the same weekend and holiday settings while moving backward.
How do I handle cross border shipping calendars?
Align on which weekend and holiday list to use for the promise, then calculate with those settings.
Is this legal or financial advice?
No. This page is educational. Confirm critical timelines with your advisor.