Overtime is work beyond your normal daily hours. In the UAE it is paid at 125% of your basic hourly wage. Between 9pm and 4am the rate rises to 150%. Overtime is capped at two hours a day. Standard hours are eight a day, or 48 a week.
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 sets the rates. The multiplier applies to basic pay, not the full package.
Work the hourly rate from the monthly basic salary, then apply the multiplier. Some senior roles and scheduled night shifts sit outside these rules, so always check the contract.
Track overtime by team, not just by person. Heavy, steady overtime is usually a staffing gap in disguise.
Model the cost of the hours against the cost of hiring. Often the right answer is a new role. An organisation design review will show it.
Last updated: July 2026 | Reviewed by Tuscan Consulting, Dubai