Is overtime paid to managers or senior staff in the UAE?

Whether overtime applies to senior and managerial employees depends on how the role is classified under the UAE Labour Law and its executive regulations. The law sets standard working hours and overtime entitlements for employees, but certain senior management and supervisory positions can be treated differently, because the nature of those roles may place them outside the standard hours-and-overtime framework. The key question is whether your actual role and authority meet the definition the regulations use for such excluded positions — a job title alone does not necessarily decide it. If your role genuinely falls within the standard category, you should receive overtime for work beyond your normal hours at the employer's request. Because the classification is technical and fact-specific, confirm how your particular role is treated with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and review your contract. If you believe you have been wrongly excluded from overtime, you can raise a complaint with MOHRE. You can also compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to assess whether your position qualifies.