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
UAE overtime rates at a glance (2026)
UAE overtime is calculated as a premium on the employee’s basic hourly wage under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. The multiplier depends on when the extra hours are worked — ordinary daytime hours, late-night hours, or a rest day.
| Situation | Overtime rate | Basis | Worked example (AED 6,000 basic / 22 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal weekday overtime | 125% of basic hourly wage | Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 19 | Hourly basic ≈ AED 31.25 → OT = AED 39.06/hr |
| Overtime falling between 9 PM and 4 AM | 150% of basic hourly wage | Night-hours premium (excludes shift workers) | AED 46.88/hr |
| Work on a rest day (e.g. weekly day off) | 150% of basic wage, or a paid day off in lieu | Rest-day premium | 8 hrs → AED 375 (vs AED 250 normal) |
| Daily overtime cap | 2 hours/day maximum | Total work incl. OT generally ≤ 12 hrs/day | — |
All overtime multipliers apply to your basic hourly wage, not your total package with allowances. To find the basic hourly rate, divide the monthly basic salary by the contracted working hours in the month (not the full gross). This is the same basic-wage principle used for end-of-service gratuity and reflected in any compliant payroll compliance process, so payroll teams should keep the basic/allowance split clearly documented on every payslip.
How to calculate overtime pay (step by step)
Use this method for any private-sector role paid monthly:
- Find the basic hourly wage. Divide the monthly basic salary by the number of contracted working hours in that month (for a standard 8 hours/day, 6 days/week pattern this is roughly 208–240 hours depending on the month).
- Identify the overtime band. Daytime weekday hours = 125%; any hour between 9 PM and 4 AM = 150%; rest-day hours = 150% (or a paid day off in lieu).
- Apply the multiplier. Multiply the basic hourly wage by 1.25 or 1.5, then by the number of overtime hours.
- Respect the cap. Overtime is generally limited to 2 hours per day; total working time including overtime should not exceed 12 hours in a day.
If overtime is worked but not paid, the employee can file a complaint with MOHRE and recover the shortfall as part of final dues. Final settlement (including any owed overtime, leave encashment and gratuity) must be paid within 14 days of the last working day. Employees should keep their own log of dates and hours, because in a dispute the burden often falls on the employer to disprove the claim.
What UAE employees actually ask about overtime
Can my employer force me to do overtime?
An employer can require overtime where the contract or company policy provides for it, but it must stay within the legal cap (generally 2 hours per day, with total daily hours not exceeding 12) and must be paid at the correct 125% or 150% premium. Refusing reasonable, properly-paid overtime can be a contractual issue, but unpaid or open-ended overtime is not lawful.
I’m on a fixed monthly salary — do I still get overtime?
Yes. Being on a monthly salary does not waive overtime rights for most non-managerial roles. The premium is still calculated on your basic hourly wage. Only specific senior or supervisory positions (see the exempt-roles section above) fall outside the overtime requirement.
Does overtime count toward my gratuity?
No. End-of-service gratuity is calculated on basic salary only, so overtime payments do not increase your gratuity. See our UAE gratuity calculator to see exactly which components count.
What can I do if my company never pays overtime?
Raise it internally first and keep written records of the hours worked. If it is not resolved, you can file a complaint with MOHRE. Unpaid overtime is treated as a wage entitlement and can be claimed as part of your final settlement, which is due within 14 days of your last working day.
Are Friday or weekend hours always paid at 150%?
Rest-day work is paid at 150% of basic wage (or compensated with a paid day off in lieu). Your rest day is whichever day your contract designates as the weekly off — it is not automatically Friday for every employer.
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.
How is overtime calculated in the UAE?
Overtime is paid as a premium on the basic hourly wage: 125% for normal weekday overtime, and 150% for hours worked between 9 PM and 4 AM or on a rest day. Divide the monthly basic salary by the contracted hours to get the hourly rate, then apply the 1.25 or 1.5 multiplier to the overtime hours.
What is the maximum overtime allowed per day in the UAE?
Overtime is generally capped at 2 hours per day, and total working time including overtime should not normally exceed 12 hours in a single day, under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
Is overtime paid on basic salary or total salary in the UAE?
Overtime multipliers apply to the basic wage only, not the gross package with allowances. Always use the basic component of the salary to calculate the hourly overtime rate.
Do salaried employees get overtime pay in the UAE?
Yes, most salaried private-sector employees are entitled to overtime pay. Only certain senior, managerial or supervisory roles are exempt from the overtime provisions.
What can I do if my employer does not pay overtime?
Keep your own record of the extra hours, raise it with the employer, and if unresolved file a complaint with MOHRE. Unpaid overtime is a recoverable wage entitlement and forms part of the final settlement due within 14 days of the last working day.