UAE standard working hours: 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime maximum: 2 hours per day. Overtime pay: 125% of basic hourly rate for daytime overtime; 150% for work between 10pm and 4am. Ramadan: standard hours reduced by 2 hours/day.
Standard working hours in UAE
UAE Labour Law sets standard working hours at 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week for most employees. The 8 hours may be consecutive or divided across the day with a break of at least 1 hour (not counted in the 8 hours). Weekly rest is minimum 1 day — typically Friday for mainland businesses, though Saturday or Sunday alternatives are permissible.
Certain categories of employees are exempt from the standard hours limit — senior management, supervisors who exercise delegated authority, and some sectors (hospitality, retail) operate on different hour models. These exemptions must be documented and MOHRE-registered.
Overtime — the 2-hour daily cap
Employees cannot be required to work more than 2 hours of overtime per day unless there is a genuine emergency. Exceptional circumstances (fire, accident, force majeure) may allow more — but these must be documented and reported to MOHRE.
Overtime can only be ordered by the employer when work cannot be delayed. Routine overtime orders to manage standard workloads without a genuine need will not protect the employer from overtime claims if the employee disputes the order.
Overtime is calculated on the basic salary only, not housing or transport allowances. Hourly rate = monthly basic salary ÷ 30 ÷ 8. For a basic salary of AED 9,000: hourly = 9,000 ÷ 30 ÷ 8 = AED 37.50. Day overtime rate = AED 37.50 × 1.25 = AED 46.88/hour.
| Time of work | Overtime pay rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime overtime (before 10pm) | 125% of basic hourly rate | Basic salary ÷ 30 ÷ 8 = hourly rate × 125% |
| Night overtime (10pm–4am) | 150% of basic hourly rate | Same hourly calculation × 150% |
| Friday (weekly rest day) | 100% additional pay (or substitute rest day) | If required to work weekly rest day |
| Public holiday work | 100% additional pay + substitute day off | Mandatory substitute day; or double pay if not given |
Ramadan working hours and overtime
During Ramadan, all employees’ standard working hours are reduced by 2 hours per day. The standard day becomes 6 hours. Overtime during Ramadan is calculated on the reduced standard — any work beyond 6 hours is overtime and paid at 125% or 150% depending on the time of day.
Employees exempt from overtime requirements
- Senior management — executives and managers with genuine authority to make business decisions and whose pay reflects their seniority
- Supervisors in standalone operations — on-site managers in remote locations where the nature of the work requires extended presence
- Domestic workers — governed by a separate domestic worker law, not the main Labour Law
- Agricultural workers — subject to different working hour rules under sector-specific regulations
Overtime pay not being tracked correctly?
We calculate overtime at the right statutory rate, include it in WPS payroll, and maintain the working hours records employers need in a dispute.
Frequently asked questions
What are standard working hours in UAE?+
8 hours per day, 48 hours per week. Employees are entitled to at least 1 day of weekly rest (typically Friday). Ramadan reduces working hours by 2 hours per day for all employees.
What is the UAE overtime pay rate?+
125% of the basic hourly rate for daytime overtime. 150% for work between 10pm and 4am. Public holiday and weekly rest day work: an additional 100% pay or a substitute day off.
How is the overtime hourly rate calculated in UAE?+
Basic salary ÷ 30 (days) ÷ 8 (hours) = basic hourly rate. Multiply by 1.25 for daytime overtime or 1.50 for night overtime. Only basic salary is used — housing and transport allowances are excluded.
Can UAE employers require more than 2 hours of overtime per day?+
Only in genuine emergencies or force majeure situations. Routine ordering of more than 2 hours of overtime per day is not permitted. Exceptions must be documented and reported to MOHRE.
Are senior managers exempt from UAE overtime rules?+
Yes. Senior management with genuine authority and decision-making responsibility are exempt from the standard hours cap and overtime pay requirements. The exemption must be reflected in the employment contract and the employee’s actual authority.
Is overtime during Ramadan calculated differently?+
Overtime during Ramadan is calculated on the reduced 6-hour standard day (normal 8-hour day minus the mandatory 2-hour Ramadan reduction). Any work beyond 6 hours in Ramadan is overtime, paid at 125% or 150% depending on the time.