UAE law: Commute can be counted as office hours during rain, bad weather

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PHOTO BY EXPAT MEDIA

UAE commute can be counted as office hours during rain, bad weather

An employee’s time spent commuting to work during rain or bad weather can be counted as part of office hours, according to the UAE Labour Law.

It is part of the executive regulations that clarify that the period of time spent by an employee traveling from their residence to their workplace will be counted towards their work hours in three situations.

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, situations where an employee’s commute can be counted as office hours include traveling to work during bad weather, such as rain, sandstorm and flood; and responses to any warnings issued by the National Center of Meteorology regarding weather changes and conditions.

Commute to work will also be considered part of work hours if the employee is in a company-provided transport while caught in a traffic accident or emergency.

Finally, if the employee’s contract stipulates that the travel time is included in the work hours, then the same rule also applies.

Under the UAE law, the maximum working hours are eight hours per day or 48 hours per week. Overtime of a maximum of two hours per day is allowed, but the total working hours must not exceed 144 hours every three weeks.

The UAE labour law also stipulates that working hours will be reduced by two hours during Ramadan. ICA/Expat Media

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