Knowing the working hours in UAE is very important for both employers and employees. If you are a business owner, you need to comply with the regulations to continue operating in the country. And if you are an employee, you need to know your rights. In both cases, it is very important to be prepared for any situation. And to know the legal regulations to comply with the requirements of the relevant authorities.
In this article, you will learn about the UAE labor law provisions related to working hours, so you will know how to comply with them in your company. If you are an employee, you will also need this knowledge. Let us see what the maximum working hours in the UAE are. If there are differences in working hours between the public and private sector. And also what are the advantages and disadvantages of them.
Standard Working Hours In UAE
As an employer, you should be aware of working hours in UAE labour law because you must provide the best possible working conditions for your employees. In addition, as an employee, you should be aware of the various aspects of labor law so that you can be prepared in case a company violates your rights and you need to file a complaint.
According to the “Regulations for the Enforcement of the Labor Code”, some sectors of the economy or categories of employees may see an increase or decrease in daily working hours. The “Regulations for Enforcement of the Labor Code” exclude travel time from the working day of employees, with the exception of persons in certain categories.
If an employee works for several companies, the first employer may not oblige him/her to work more than specified in the employment contract. Subsequent employers may not demand longer working hours in UAE unless the employee gives written permission.
For Public Sector
If you belong to the public sector, the time required to work must be seven hours a day. Employees of federal government entities follow a four-and-a-half-day workweek. Saturdays and Sundays are the official weekends for the federal administration sector.
For Private Sector
According to Article 65 of the Labor Law, employees and companies belonging to the working hours in UAE for the private sector must work eight hours per day, or 48 hours per week. The standard working day for the private sector is eight hours per day or forty-eight hours per week, according to new working hours in UAE.
Ramadan Working Hours UAE 2024
According to Article 65 of the UAE Labor Law, the normal working day is reduced by two hours during Ramadan. Observance of important national holidays is important and all employees must be able to follow these guidelines.
If a company does not comply with the requirements, it can face a great deal of liability. Therefore, it is important to know when these holidays are so that the rules can be followed.
See More: What Is Emergency Leave In UAE As Per Labour Law
What is flexible working arrangements in the UAE
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), flexible work arrangements have become more prominent due to recent legal changes. Let us delve into the details:
- According to the new UAE labor law (Federal Decree-Law No.33), the concept of fixed-term contracts (also known as limited contract in UAE) has evolved.
- Previously, employees on fixed-term contracts had a maximum duration of three years, with limitations on contract exit. However, recognizing the need for flexibility in attracting and retaining talent, the three-year limit has been removed.
- The contract issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) now specifies a defined period for renewal, allowing for automatic renewal unless notified by either party. This change benefits both employers (providing flexibility in contract periods) and employees (providing more certainty and job security).
- Working for a single employer for a full working day.
- Allow full-time or part-time employees to work outside of their recognized place of employment.
- Split the workload and pay for a single job among several employees.
- A contract for a predetermined period.
- Employees can work different hours and on different days depending on the requirements and conditions of the job.
- Employees may combine multiple work patterns as long as the total working hours do not exceed the maximum allowed by UAE law (48 hours per week).
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Working Remotely During Working Hours
Many telecommuters find it difficult to know when work begins and ends. Continuous connectivity to the workplace, especially through smartphones, requires a conscious effort to “clock in.” Rather than being able to simply leave the building at the end of the day.
Many studies have been conducted on the effect of telecommuting on working hours in UAE. The results vary, mostly depending on the demographic group. But the consensus is that those who regularly telecommute or work from home put in more hours per week than office staff.
Remote work offers flexibility, cost savings, and a better work-life balance, but it also comes with challenges related to social interaction and self-discipline. Employers must implement best practices to maintain efficient remote teams. Let us explore the pros and cons of remote work in terms of working hours.
Future & Challenges:
Without the structure of an office environment, employees must manage their time effectively. Staying focused and avoiding distractions can be a challenge. High discipline and organization, establishing a routine that allows tasks to be checked off, and adhering to schedules are very important to meet objectives.
Shorter workweek
Remote jobs do not necessarily inherently have shorter work weeks. However, the flexibility of remote work allows for a variety of work schedule options.
Many companies offer full-time remote jobs, similar to traditional 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. jobs. Some employees choose to work part-time from home. Freelancers can choose their own hours and projects. Some freelancers prefer to work fewer hours to maintain a work-life balance.
Remote work allows you to request flexible hours. You can negotiate with your employer to work fewer hours or at specific times. The length of the workweek in remote jobs varies depending on the type of job and individual preferences. Some remote workers enjoy shorter work weeks, while others maintain similar schedules to on-site jobs.
Long working hours
Although remote work offers benefits such as flexibility, it can also lead to longer working hours if clear boundaries are not established and work/life balance is not properly managed.
If an employee wants to work remotely, from the UAE or another country, the employer must establish certain work schedules. After working five hours in a row, the employee can take one or more breaks. These breaks could not be less than one hour. When calculating working hours, organizations do not take breaks into account.
Technology
Modern technology makes it possible to work in unconventional ways, which has led to a significant evolution in the labor market. Many companies are seeing the benefits of remote work, and the number of flexible jobs is likely to continue to grow steadily.
Technology tools simplify collaboration between geographically dispersed teams. Virtual meetings save time and resources by being easily and conveniently organized. Technology enables flexible scheduling and adaptability to individual needs.
Working Hours For Pregnant Women & Their Legal Protections
If you are pregnant, have been pregnant or may become pregnant, you are legally protected. Pregnant women may continue to work the average 40-hour workweek or the hours they previously worked. However, a pregnant employee should only continue to work these hours if it is safe to do so, both physically and emotionally.
Pregnant Women Legal Protections
- Working Hours(No set)
- Focus on Safety
- Leave Protections
- Reasonable Accommodations
See More: Maternity Leave In UAE 2024 – An Ultimate Guide
Overtime Calculation And Employee Rights In UAE
UAE labour law working hours overtime sets the standard for overtime for the organization’s employees. Overtime refers to the amount of time employees work beyond normal working hours. The following are the working hours in UAE calculator for organizations:
- If an employee is required to work beyond his or her normal working hours, his or her salary is equal to the regular hourly wage plus 25% of the defined rate.
- Article 69 states that under no circumstances does overtime exceed two hours.
- If an employee performs overtime between 9 pm and 4 am, then that employee is entitled to a regular hourly wage plus 50% of the defined rate.
- This rule does not apply to those employees who work shifts. Public employees are not governed by the Federal Executive Order.
How RAAD Assists you in working hours in UAE?
RAAD Recruitment specializes in Emiratisation recruitment, Staff outsourcing Services and a recruitment service for Emiratis based in Dubai and is committed to adding value to its services. Compliance with the law is a challenge for many companies, so you can contact the Council for all legal and regulatory matters.
We have a dedicated human resources team that constantly monitors changes in labor legislation to ensure that your business is kept safe.
If you would like to engage our services, you can contact us through our website here. Or if you want to get information about working hours in Dubai for private sector and other articles of your interest, you can visit our insights now.
