UAE Working Hours: Complete Employer Guide
Comprehensive guide to UAE working hours, rest breaks, weekly rest, and Ramadan hours under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Includes industry variations and compliance requirements.
Quick Summary: Comprehensive guide to UAE working hours, rest breaks, weekly rest, and Ramadan hours under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Includes industry variations and compliance requirements.
Working hours regulations are fundamental to UAE labor law compliance. Employers must understand daily limits, rest requirements, and special provisions for Ramadan.
This guide covers working hour requirements under MOHRE regulations and Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Articles 17-19, Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 |
| Maximum Daily Hours | 8 hours |
| Maximum Weekly Hours | 48 hours |
| Ramadan Hours | 6 hours/day (2-hour reduction) |
| Weekly Rest | Minimum 1 day |
Standard Working Hours
Daily and Weekly Limits
| Limit | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum per day | 8 hours | Excluding breaks |
| Maximum per week | 48 hours | Standard limit |
| Minimum rest | 1 day per week | Usually Friday |
Common Work Schedules
| Pattern | Hours | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 5-day week | 9 hours/day | Sunday-Thursday |
| 6-day week | 8 hours/day | Sunday-Thursday + Saturday |
| Split shift | Variable | With extended breaks |
Note: The 8-hour daily limit excludes break time. Actual time at workplace may be longer due to rest periods.
Rest Breaks
Daily Break Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum break | 1 hour |
| When required | After 5 consecutive hours of work |
| Counted as work time? | No - not included in working hours |
| Payment | Break time unpaid |
Break Structure Options
Employer may structure breaks as:
- Single 1-hour break
- Multiple shorter breaks totaling 1 hour
- Flexible timing based on work needs
Working Through Breaks
If employee works through lunch without a break:
- Those hours count as working time
- May trigger overtime if exceeds 8 hours
- Employer should ensure breaks are taken
Weekly Rest Day
Entitlement
All employees entitled to minimum 1 day rest per week.
Common Practice by Sector
| Sector | Typical Rest Days |
|---|---|
| Private sector (office) | Friday + Saturday |
| Some industries | Friday only |
| Retail/hospitality | Rotating days off |
| Healthcare | Rotating schedule |
Working on Rest Day
If required to work on rest day:
- Must receive compensatory day off, OR
- Overtime pay at 150% rate
- Employee consent required (except emergencies)
Options for Rest Day Work
- Option A: Regular pay + 50% overtime + compensatory day off
- Option B: Regular pay + 100% extra (if no day off given)
Ramadan Working Hours
Reduced Hours During Ramadan
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| Reduction | 2 hours per day |
| New maximum | 6 hours/day |
| Applies to | All employees (Muslims and non-Muslims) |
| Overtime threshold | After 6 hours |
Salary During Ramadan
- Full salary maintained
- Reduced hours do not reduce pay
- Overtime applies after 6 hours at normal rates
Example: Ramadan Week
Sunday-Thursday: 6 hours x 5 = 30 hours
If worked 7 hours one day:
1 hour overtime at 125% rateImportant: Ramadan reduced hours apply to ALL employees regardless of religion. Employers cannot require non-Muslims to work normal hours during Ramadan.
Flexible Working Arrangements
Work Models Under 2021 Law
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
| Full-time | Standard 8 hours/day, one employer |
| Part-time | Specific hours/days agreed |
| Temporary | Project-based duration |
| Flexible | Variable hours based on workload |
| Remote | Work from outside workplace |
| Job sharing | Two employees share one position |
Part-Time Working Hours
- Agreed between employer and employee
- Proportional to full-time hours
- Can work for multiple employers
- Pro-rata benefits may apply
Recording Requirements
Employers must:
- Track working hours accurately
- Record all overtime worked
- Document rest periods
- Keep records for minimum 2 years
Industry Variations
Continuous Operations (24/7 Industries)
| Industry | Variation |
|---|---|
| Hotels | Shift-based schedules |
| Healthcare | Extended shifts allowed |
| Security | Rotating shifts |
| Manufacturing | Continuous operations |
| Retail | Extended hours possible |
Maximum for Continuous Operations
Even for 24/7 industries:
- Weekly hours cannot exceed 56 hours (including overtime)
- Adequate rest must be provided
- Overtime rates apply beyond 48 hours
Free Zone Variations
DIFC:
- Weekly limit: 48 hours (can exceed with written consent)
- More flexible than mainland
- Different provisions may apply
ADGM: Similar flexibility to DIFC.
Other Free Zones: Generally follow UAE federal law.
Penalties for Violations
Employer Violations
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Exceeding maximum hours | AED 1,000 - AED 50,000 |
| No rest breaks | AED 5,000 - AED 50,000 |
| Denying weekly rest | AED 5,000 - AED 50,000 |
| Non-payment of overtime | Up to AED 20,000 |
Repeated Violations
- Escalating fines
- Potential business restrictions
- Company classification downgrade with MOHRE
Employee Rights
| Right | Protection |
|---|---|
| Maximum hours | Cannot be forced to exceed limits |
| Rest breaks | Entitled to breaks |
| Weekly rest | Minimum 1 day off |
| Overtime pay | Must be compensated |
| Ramadan reduction | Reduced hours during holy month |
Refusal Rights
Employees may refuse:
- Excessive overtime beyond legal limits
- Work without proper breaks
- Continuous work without rest days
Frequently Asked Questions
Automate Time Tracking
NeuralHR tracks working hours, monitors compliance, and alerts you to violations before they happen.
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NeuralHR Team
VerifiedUAE HR Compliance Experts
Our team of HR professionals and legal experts specializes in UAE labor law compliance, with extensive experience helping businesses navigate MOHRE regulations, Emiratisation requirements, and workforce management in the UAE and GCC region.
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