The general private-sector standard
Official UAE guidance identifies normal private-sector working hours as eight hours per day or 48 hours per week, while noting that particular sectors or worker categories may differ. Workers who perform five consecutive hours should receive breaks totaling at least one hour; those breaks are generally not counted as working time.
The same guidance says an employer may generally request up to two additional hours a day. It describes covered overtime pay using basic salary, including different treatment for certain nighttime work and work on an off-day.
Read the full official working-hours and overtime guidance (opens in a new tab), because exceptions matter.
Questions to ask before accepting
- How many days and hours do team members actually work?
- Is the lunch break included in the stated schedule?
- Which day is the weekly rest day?
- How is overtime approved, recorded and paid?
- Is evening or weekend availability expected?
- Does the role fall within an exception?
- How often do employees work beyond the written schedule?
Ask a future teammate as well as the recruiter. Policies describe the official arrangement; employees can describe the routine.
Calculate the effective hourly value
When comparing two offers, divide fixed monthly compensation by realistic working time—not merely the contractual headline. A five-day role paying slightly less may offer greater hourly value and recovery time than a six-day position with routine unpaid extensions.
Also price the commute. Travel time may not count as working time under the general rule, but it still affects your day and costs.
Record facts, not just satisfaction
Useful workplace evidence includes scheduled days, typical finish time, overtime frequency, time-off practice and whether staffing levels match the workload.