UAE remote work guidelines: working hours, leave, employee rights, and penalties for violations while working from home.
Did you know that employees working from home are held to the same hours, performance expectations, and responsibilities as those working in the office?
Working from home in the UAE doesn’t mean fewer rules or looser obligations. Employees remain subject to the same working hours, performance standards, and legal responsibilities as those in the office.
A new guide from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) outlines how remote work functions in the private sector. It covers working hours, leave entitlements, employer responsibilities, monitoring requirements, and penalties for non-compliance, providing clear guidance for both companies and employees managing hybrid and remote arrangements.
Here’s a breakdown of the rules:
What is remote work?
Remote work refers to an arrangement where employees perform their job duties outside the traditional office setting, often from home, while remaining subject to the same work hours, performance expectations, and legal obligations as on-site staff.
- Salary
- Working hours
- Leave
- Workplace protections
Employer Responsibilities
Employers must:
- Provide a clear employment contract detailing salary, role, hours, and duration
- Adhere to legal working hours and grant rest days
- Provide annual, sick, and other leave
- Supply necessary devices and technical tools
- Pay all dues promptly at contract end
- Not charge recruitment or hiring fees
- Clearly define tasks and communication channels
- Monitor employees and provide records if requested by labour inspectors
Employee Responsibilities
Employees must:
- Complete tasks themselves (no outsourcing)
- Work within agreed hours and respond promptly
- Use company equipment properly
- Maintain confidentiality of work data
- Submit reports and complete tasks on time
- Attend virtual meetings when required
Working Hours
- 8 hours/day, up to 48 hours/week
- Overtime must be paid if limits are exceeded
- Daily rest breaks are mandatory (not counted as work hours)
- At least one paid weekly day off is required
Leave Entitlements
Annual Leave:
- 30 days/year after 1 year of service
- Pro-rated if less than 1 year
Sick Leave:
- 15 days full pay
- 30 days half pay
- 45 days unpaid
Maternity Leave:
- 60 days (45 full pay, 15 half pay)
- Termination due to pregnancy is prohibited
Other Leave:
- Parental leave: 10 working days
- Bereavement leave: 3–5 days depending on relation
- Study and national service leave (conditions apply)
Insurance Requirements
Employers must provide:
- Health insurance for remote workers
- Worker protection insurance covering unpaid wages (up to Dh20,000)
Employees must subscribe to unemployment insurance:
- 60% of salary for up to 3 months if job is lost
Violations
Examples of violations:
- Not responding during working hours without valid reason
- Repeated delays in completing tasks
- Doing personal work during official hours
- Assigning tasks to others without approval
- Logging in without actually working
Disciplinary action, including termination, may apply for serious violations.
Key FAQs
- Is logging in enough to prove work? No. Performance is measured by output and quality.
- Can you set your own working hours? No. Hours are defined in the contract.
- Can you do personal tasks during work hours? No. Work hours are strictly for job responsibilities.
- Can employers monitor remote employees? Yes, as long as it is appropriate and respects privacy.
- Can poor performance lead to termination? Yes, the same rules as office-based staff apply.
UAE Nationals under Nafis
- Eligibility requires a genuine, active job
- Remote work does not affect benefits if conditions are met
- Any employment changes must be reported
