Ever felt like your workday doesn’t really end when you leave the office? The emails keep coming, the phone doesn’t stop buzzing, and before you know it – you’re still working long after hours. 9-5 more like a 9-9. But here’s some good news for you – all those extra hours at work (or stuck replying to late-night emails) don’t come for free. They’re considered overtime, and the law in the UAE makes sure you get fairly compensated for it. So, it’s time you stop letting those overtime hours fly under the radar and find out how much pay you are legally entitled to by your company. Keep reading to find out all the important details you need to now.
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How Overtime Pay Is Calculated
By law, employees are entitled to their basic hourly wage plus at least 25% extra for every additional hour worked. This means that if your workday stretches beyond the standard eight hours, those extra hours should come with added compensation.
Working Late at Night? You Get Even More
Things change if you’re asked to work during late-night hours. The law states that any overtime between 10pm and 4am should be paid with at least a 50% increase on top of your basic hourly wage. The only exception here is for employees who already work on a shift basis.
Forced Overtime Is Not Allowed
Employers cannot push employees to work longer hours without proper pay. Article 14 of the Employment Law makes it clear that forcing an employee to work beyond their contracted hours without consent or payment could be seen as employment by force. Which is strictly prohibited.
What To Do If You’re Not Paid for Overtime
If you find yourself regularly working beyond eight hours a day or 48 hours a week without being compensated, you have the right to raise the issue. The first step is to discuss it directly with your employer. If that doesn’t work, you can escalate the matter to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). These guys oversee labour rights in the UAE.
To put it simply – if you’re working extra hours in the UAE, you are legally entitled to overtime pay. That’s 25% more for extra hours during the day, and 50% more if it’s between 10pm and 4am. Employees, like you, have every right to ask for fair compensation, and the law is on your side for this.
