Ayman Alansary, a 47-year-old Egyptian living in Dubai, recently left a senior role as a chief supply chain officer and decided to micro-retire after working for 20 years. The reason: he wants to travel frequently and spend more time with his family.
Mr Alansary has taken a freelance licence and takes on consulting jobs. He works for two to three companies a few days a week now, but on his own terms.
Micro-retiring is a term used to describe the practice whereby employees take planned, extended breaks from their professional duties, often through sabbaticals or unpaid leave, typically ranging from several weeks to several months or resigning from employment with the intention of returning to the workforce later.
“It’s a lot of pressure to be in such senior roles for a long time. I also want to spend more time with my wife and kids,” he says.
“But I am used to getting a consistent salary for many years, which gave me a sense of security. However, I’m not making much less than what I used to on a full-time job.”
Although the lack of a stable income stream worries Mr Alansary, the freedom of this lifestyle offsets it. He depends on his savings and investments to fund his expenses but wonders how long he can sustain this lifestyle.
Banks’ lack of approval
However, banks do not understand this trend, Mr Alansary complains. When seeking a loan or mortgage, lenders cite a far higher interest rate, even though he earns an income and has savings.
Mr Alansary says he is thinking of going back to work full time. But while this would make things easier in his dealings with banks, he admits that there’s lots about his current arrangement he would miss.
“It’s no longer about the salary, but more about the flexibility and lack of office politics,” he says.
He isn’t alone. Rania Khuffash, a 29-year-old Briton, moved to Dubai from London this year after taking a nearly nine-month break from her advertising and marketing career because she was tired and had not taken a break since she was 21.
“My job was getting repetitive, and I needed a change. I was bored and needed a clear mind, so I took some time off to travel. I went to Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, and switched off. I also visited Jordan for some time to visit extended family. I had money saved up for all this,” she says.
After three months off, she studied skills such as video editing and graphic design. Ms Khuffash also volunteered for a local charity in Jordan – things she “couldn’t do while on a full-time job”.
Now, Ms Khuffash wants a full-time job but since she is new to the UAE, freelancing offers her flexibility. Meeting new people and getting out of her comfort zone and usual routine have helped offer more clarity, she says.
It’s easier to adapt to working after a sabbatical in a new country. But if you go back to the same job, it can be difficult to adjust to the same routine, Ms Khuffash says.
Reasons for micro-retirement
This year, 10 per cent of Americans are planning to take a micro-retirement, with many funding their break with the help of savings or side hustles to rest, travel or explore personal and career goals, according to a poll by SideHustles.com, a platform for side jobs and part-time gigs.
On average, Americans take four months off work for a micro-retirement and aim to save around $15,000 beforehand, according to a poll of 1,000 people in the US.
Their top reasons for taking a micro-retirement include mental health recovery, travel, life experiences and relief from work stress. Professionals working in areas such as technology, health care, retail, hospitality and finance plan to micro-retire in 2025, the survey found.
Tanaya S, a 27-year-old Indian living in Dubai, has been working since the age of 22 but wants to micro-retire as she feels burnt out and does not enjoy her current job in sustainability.
“I feel that life can’t be spent working a 9 to 5. It makes me think about what I want to do with my life and my purpose,” she says.
“The job I’m currently in doesn’t align with where I want to be. I want to focus on my mental and physical health during the break or even consider starting my own business.”
She has savings to cover her necessities, such as therapy, gym and going out with friends, for up to a year. Living with her father and brother helps her to not worry about paying for rent or food.
Focus on purpose and well-being
Micro-retiring is still in its early stages across the UAE, but the signs of change are unmistakable. There is growing interest, especially among younger professionals who are rethinking traditional career timelines and placing greater emphasis on balance, purpose and well-being, according to Pedro Lacerda, country head UAE at recruitment company TASC Group.
“The increasing availability of sabbatical leave across UAE organisations reflects a workforce that’s looking for structured ways to pause, recharge and realign, without stepping away from long-term career goals,” he says.
“Government initiatives are also reinforcing this shift. Emirati nationals in federal roles now have the option to take up to a year off at half pay to start a business.”
Nicki Wilson, owner and managing director of Genie Recruitment, a Dubai-based consultancy that specialises in hiring across the consumer industry, says there is a significant rise in Gen Z and younger millennials taking intentional breaks between jobs, freelancing or opting for a slower paced career path far earlier than previous generations.
It’s not unusual to see young professionals leaving the 9-5 to retrain as a Pilates instructor, a personal trainer, offer coaching or become content creators. A lot of people will utilise their expertise in consultancy or freelancing, too, she points out.
“We also see a number of very senior profiles who in previous generations may have worked continuously to retirement, adopting a softer approach and taking breaks at their peak to spend time on their own ventures, travel or spend time with family,” she says.
It’s not unusual now to see young professionals leaving the 9-5 to retrain as a Pilates instructor, a personal trainer, offer coaching or become content creators
Nicki Wilson,
owner and managing director, Genie Recruitment
Driving forces
The change is being driven by factors such as mental health prioritisation, an anti-hustle culture, access to online income through freelance work, a cultural shift towards minimalism, wellness and slow living, and no loyalty to outdated systems, according to Ms Wilson.
Some step away after just one to five years of work. Unlike older generations, Gen Z doesn’t feel they need to “earn” rest after decades. If they’re unhappy, they’re more likely to pause early, explore something new or prioritise their well-being. Whereas millennials and boomers may opt to do this later in life after 10 to 15+ years working, she explains.
Micro-retiring is gaining traction as part of a broader shift in how people think about work and life, Mr Lacerda says.
“Younger professionals have a clear expectation that work should adapt to life, not the other way around,” he says.
“There’s also growing recognition of the link between employee well-being and business performance. More organisations are looking at policies like sabbaticals and planned career breaks not as risks, but as ways to improve engagement, reduce burnout, and boost long-term productivity.”
Which sectors are seeing this trend?
Industries with high pressure and rapid pace are leading the way in micro-retirement, according to recruiters.
Mr Lacerda cites sectors such as technology, finance, and professional services across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“For example, in the UAE’s tech sector, rapid growth combined with intense work demands has led to higher burnout risk. Similarly, the financial services industry − including banking and FinTech − faces strong retention challenges,” he says.
“In addition, sectors like health care and education, where the emotional and physical demands are high, are beginning to explore more structured sabbatical or phased-retirement options.”
Ms Wilson says micro-retiring is also visible in creative industries like marketing, public relations, design, fashion and content, as well as start-ups, events, hospitality and retail − where “long hours and high stress” are all contributory factors.
What do micro-retired people do?
People who choose to micro-retire often use this time to focus on what matters to them, whether that’s personal growth, family or recharging. Many take the opportunity to travel or pursue passions and hobbies they’ve set aside, according to Mr Lacerda.
“In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, we’ve seen a growing number of professionals using micro-retirement to start their own businesses or engage in freelance and consulting work. This allows them to maintain some income while enjoying greater flexibility,” he says.
“Others invest time in upskilling or further education, preparing themselves for the next phase of their career with new skills and fresh perspectives.”
Ms Wilson says those who micro-retire pursue solo travel or do something wellness-related, start a side hustle (fashion, food, digital products, coaching), study something new (tech bootcamps, design, online courses), freelance on the side or go inward: therapy, meditation or personal growth.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Is it hard to rejoin the workforce?
Some progressive employers value life experience, clarity and self-driven motivation, while traditional corporates may misinterpret breaks as flakiness, Ms Wilson says.
Gen Zs with strong portfolios or freelance projects during breaks tend to bounce back easier, she says.
When it comes to millennials and boomers, it is often much harder to re-enter the workforce as often they do not keep up with the latest technology or upskill quick enough, she adds.
Meanwhile, Mr Lacerda says concerns about skill gaps or being “out of the loop” are common. But when micro-retiring is planned well, with clear intentions and ongoing development, many find the transition back smoother than expected.
“It often helps to stay connected through part-time projects, upskilling or networking during the break,” he suggests.
“Some sectors and companies remain more traditional and cautious. The key for employees is to communicate openly about their plans and for employers to offer structured return-to-work programmes that reduce friction.”
Disadvantages
Financial preparedness is often a key hurdle, Mr Lacerda warns. Many professionals feel they cannot afford extended breaks, especially in regions with high living costs. Organisations need to support this with tailored financial planning and flexible benefits, he suggests.
Ms Wilson adds that employers may view micro-retirement as a lack of commitment.
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years’ performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent “the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit” Mr Hodgins added.
FIGHT%20CARD
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFeatherweight%204%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EYousuf%20Ali%20(2-0-0)%20(win-loss-draw)%20v%20Alex%20Semugenyi%20(0-1-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%206%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBenyamin%20Moradzadeh%20(0-0-0)%20v%20Rohit%20Chaudhary%20(4-0-2)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHeavyweight%204%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EYoussef%20Karrar%20(1-0-0)%20v%20Muhammad%20Muzeei%20(0-0-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%206%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMarwan%20Mohamad%20Madboly%20(2-0-0)%20v%20Sheldon%20Schultz%20(4-4-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESuper%20featherweight%208%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBishara%20Sabbar%20(6-0-0)%20v%20Mohammed%20Azahar%20(8-5-1)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECruiseweight%208%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMohammed%20Bekdash%20(25-0-0)%20v%20Musa%20N%E2%80%99tege%20(8-4-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESuper%20flyweight%2010%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESultan%20Al%20Nuaimi%20(9-0-0)%20v%20Jemsi%20Kibazange%20(18-6-2)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELightweight%2010%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBader%20Samreen%20(8-0-0)%20v%20Jose%20Paez%20Gonzales%20(16-2-2-)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
WWE Super ShowDown results
Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title
Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship
Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns
Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party
Randy Orton beats Triple H
Braun Strowman beats Bobby Lashley
Kofi Kingston wins against Dolph Zigggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal
The Undertaker beat Goldberg
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
FA Cup semi-finals
Saturday: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 8.15pm (UAE)
Sunday: Chelsea v Southampton, 6pm (UAE)
Matches on Bein Sports
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
Flexible work arrangements
Pension support
Mental well-being assistance
Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
Financial well-being incentives
Tips to keep your car cool
Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
Park in shaded or covered areas
Add tint to windows
Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
Pick light interiors – choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHayvn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Flinos%2C%20Ahmed%20Ismail%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efinancial%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2044%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseries%20B%20in%20the%20second%20half%20of%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHilbert%20Capital%2C%20Red%20Acre%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Benefits of first-time home buyers’ scheme
Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
ENGLAND SQUAD
Joe Root (captain), Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad
‘The Batman’
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
%3Cp%3E1984%20-%20Apple%20unveiled%20the%20Macintosh%20on%20January%2024%3Cbr%3E1985%20-%20Steve%20Jobs%20departed%20from%20Apple%20and%20established%20NeXT%3Cbr%3E1986%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20Macintosh%20Plus%2C%20featuring%20enhanced%20memory%3Cbr%3E1987%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20Macintosh%20II%2C%20equipped%20with%20colour%20capabilities%3Cbr%3E1989%20-%20The%20widely%20acclaimed%20Macintosh%20SE%2F30%20made%20its%20debut%3Cbr%3E1994%20-%20Apple%20presented%20the%20Power%20Macintosh%3Cbr%3E1996%20-%20The%20Macintosh%20System%20Software%20OS%20underwent%20a%20rebranding%20as%20Mac%20OS%3Cbr%3E2001%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20Mac%20OS%20X%2C%20marrying%20Unix%20stability%20with%20a%20user-friendly%20interface%3Cbr%3E2006%20-%20Apple%20adopted%20Intel%20processors%20in%20MacBook%20Pro%20laptops%3Cbr%3E2008%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20MacBook%20Air%2C%20a%20lightweight%20laptop%3Cbr%3E2012%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20MacBook%20Pro%20with%20a%20retina%20display%3Cbr%3E2016%20-%20The%20Mac%20operating%20system%20underwent%20rebranding%20as%20macOS%3Cbr%3E2020%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20M1%20chip%20for%20Macs%2C%20combining%20high%20performance%20and%20energy%20efficiency%3Cbr%3E2022%20-%20The%20M2%20chip%20was%20announced%3Cbr%3E2023%20-The%20M3%20line-up%20of%20chip%20was%20announced%20to%20improve%20performance%20and%20add%20new%20capabilities%20for%20Mac.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A