Country Guides
Remote Work in the UAE
Working from home policy in the UAE
Remote work is permitted in the UAE and is regulated under the labour law framework. Employees working remotely must be issued a compliant employment contract and are entitled to the same rights and protections as on-site employees unless explicitly stated otherwise in their contract.
Employers must ensure remote workers receive statutory entitlements such as medical insurance, gratuity, and paid leave. Salaries must be paid monthly through the Wage Protection System (WPS), regardless of the employee’s location.
Standard working hours remain in place (48 per week), with reduced hours during Ramadan. Overtime rules also apply, unless the employee is in an exempt category such as managerial or supervisory roles.
A well-designed remote work policy in the UAE should cover:
-
Work schedule and hours of availability
-
Costs and expenses covered by the employer (e.g. internet, telecom, electricity)
-
Equipment provided or reimbursed by the company
-
Data protection, confidentiality, and monitoring rules in line with UAE law
-
Health and safety measures for the home workspace
-
Use of digital tools and acceptable use standards
-
Duration of the remote work arrangement and conditions for review
Workspace guidelines in the UAE
An appropriate workstation will include the following:
-
Right level of illumination, both natural and artificial light sources should not create glare on the computer
-
Sufficient lighting level for visual tasks to be completed without eye strain
-
The right level of ventilation and thermal comfort
-
Unobstructed exit path in case of emergencies, including electrical cords, uneven carpet, and clutter
-
Suitable storage for documents
Recommendations for employees working from home:
-
Take appropriate breaks every 30 minutes to ensure repetitive actions are not continued for long periods, and stand up at least once per hour
-
Stretch and change posture often, and if possible, an alternate activity
-
Check that you have a comfortable posture
-
Don’t do any lifting, pushing, or carrying type task beyond the physical capacity
-
Keep wrists in a neutral (straight) position—not bent up or down
-
Sitting posture is upright or slightly reclined, maintaining slight hollow in the lower back
-
Establish boundaries around work hours
-
Schedule regular meetings and catch-ups with the team
-
Go outdoors and exercise daily, if possible
Global employment made gloriously uneventful
Talk to us and discover Boundless possibilities
Book a personalised discovery and get your questions answered by our experts.
