UAE: Can employees be forced to work on their day off? Are they eligible for overtime?

  • Date: 24-Apr-2022
  • Source: Khaleej Times
  • Sector:Economy
  • Country:UAE
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UAE: Can employees be forced to work on their day off? Are they eligible for overtime?

'Over the past few months, my boss has been asking me to log in to work over the weekend'

Published: Sun 24 Apr 2022, 1:15 PM Last updated: Sun 24 Apr 2022, 1:18 PM

Question: I am employed in a firm based in mainland Dubai. Over the past few months, my boss has been asking me to log in to work over the weekend. I am not required to go to office, but this is official work that I am doing from home. I spend a good three to four hours every weekend like this. What are my rights in such instances? Can I be forced to work on my day off? Also, am I eligible for overtime if I choose to work like this from home?

Response: Pursuant to your queries, it is assumed that you have one day of weekly holiday as per the employment contract signed with your employer. Further, as you are employed by a mainland firm based in the emirate of Dubai, the provisions of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations (the 'Employment Law') and the provisions of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree