UAE Overtime Calculation: How Much You're Owed
If you work beyond 8 hours a day, your employer must pay you overtime — at 125% for normal hours and 150% for night shifts. Many workers in the UAE are owed significant overtime pay. Here is exactly how to calculate it and claim what you are owed.
Overtime Rates Explained
Normal Overtime (125%)
For work beyond 8 hours/day during normal daytime hours (4 AM to 9 PM). You earn your base hourly rate plus a 25% premium.
Night Overtime (150%)
For overtime work between 9 PM and 4 AM. You earn your base hourly rate plus a 50% premium. Night shift workers who work beyond their scheduled hours qualify.
Rest Day / Friday Work (150%)
Working on your weekly rest day entitles you to either 150% pay or a substitute rest day plus 50% of basic pay. Your employer cannot force you to give up your rest day regularly.
How to Calculate Your Overtime Pay
Step-by-Step Formula
1. Find your hourly rate: Monthly basic salary / 30 days / 8 hours = hourly rate
2. Normal overtime (per hour): Hourly rate x 1.25
3. Night overtime (per hour): Hourly rate x 1.50
Example Calculation
Basic salary: AED 6,000/month
Hourly rate: AED 6,000 / 30 / 8 = AED 25/hour
Normal overtime: AED 25 x 1.25 = AED 31.25/hour
Night overtime: AED 25 x 1.50 = AED 37.50/hour
If you worked 20 hours normal overtime + 10 hours night overtime in a month:
(20 x AED 31.25) + (10 x AED 37.50) = AED 625 + AED 375 = AED 1,000 overtime pay
Who Is Exempt from Overtime
Not everyone qualifies for overtime pay. The following categories may be exempt:
- Senior management and supervisory positions (must be specified in the contract)
- Employees whose working hours cannot be determined or monitored by nature of their role
- Commission-only sales roles (if the contract explicitly states no overtime applies)
- Preparatory or concluding work that must be done outside normal hours by nature
If your employer claims you are exempt but your contract does not clearly state this, you likely still qualify for overtime. The exemption must be explicit.
Maximum Overtime Limits
How to Claim Unpaid Overtime
Document your actual working hours — keep a personal log with dates and times
Save any evidence: access card records, time stamps, messages from employer asking you to work late
Calculate the total overtime owed using the formula above
Request payment in writing from your employer first
If refused, file a complaint with MoHRE specifying 'Unpaid Overtime'
Bring your calculation, evidence, and contract to the mediation session
Check Your Overtime Entitlement
Upload your employment contract and we will identify your basic salary, working hours, and whether you are classified as overtime-exempt. Know your rights before you claim.
Check Your ContractFrequently Asked Questions
How is overtime calculated in UAE?
Normal overtime (beyond 8 hours/day): base hourly rate + 25% (125% of normal rate). Night overtime (9 PM to 4 AM): base hourly rate + 50% (150% of normal rate). Friday/rest day work: base hourly rate + 50%, or a substitute rest day. The base hourly rate is calculated as: monthly basic salary / 30 / 8.
What is the maximum overtime allowed in UAE?
UAE law limits overtime to 2 hours per day, which can be extended to 3 hours in specific circumstances (commercial establishments, preventing serious accidents, etc.). Annual overtime should not exceed 144 hours per year unless the employee consents and is properly compensated.
Who is exempt from overtime pay in UAE?
Senior management and supervisory positions may be exempt if their contract specifies they are not eligible for overtime. Also exempt are roles where working hours cannot be determined or controlled, and employees who work on a commission-only basis. However, the exemption must be clearly stated in the contract.
Can my employer refuse to pay overtime?
No. If you work beyond your normal working hours and you are not in an exempt category, your employer must pay overtime. If they refuse, file a complaint with MoHRE. Keep records of your actual working hours — time stamps, messages, access logs — as evidence.
Is overtime calculated on basic salary or gross salary?
Overtime is calculated based on basic salary only, not gross salary. Housing allowance, transport allowance, and other additions are not included in the overtime calculation. The hourly rate is: basic monthly salary divided by 30, divided by 8 (standard working hours per day).