6 legal rights UAE remote workers should know

Remote work has become more common in the UAE as businesses shift to flexible work arrangements. Despite working from home or outside the office, employees continue to receive the same legal protections under UAE Labour Law. These include rights related to salary, working hours, leave, and workplace conditions. The law treats remote workers on par with in-office staff, provided the arrangement is agreed upon in the employment contract.

Under UAE Labour Law, remote work is a recognised work model where employees perform their duties fully or partly outside the workplace using digital tools. Article 5 of Cabinet Resolution No. (1) of 2022 defines remote work as duties carried out without physical presence, through electronic communication between employer and employee. This applies to both part-time and full-time roles, as long as it is formally agreed.

Remote work arrangements must be clearly stated in the employment contract or added through an official amendment. The contract should include details such as job role, salary, working hours, workplace (including remote setup), leave entitlements, and notice period. UAE law requires that both employer and employee agree to these terms in writing for the arrangement to be legally valid.

Even in a remote setup, employees must follow legally defined working hours. Employers have the right to set specific work timings for remote employees. As per Article 17 (6) of UAE Labour Law, an employee can work remotely only with employer approval, and the employer can require adherence to fixed hours despite the flexible location.

Employees working remotely are entitled to receive their salary as per the employment contract. If an employee is ready and able to work and continues to fulfil their duties remotely, the employer must continue salary payments. The employment relationship remains active, and salary obligations do not change due to location.

Remote workers are entitled to the same protections as office-based employees. These include the right to agreed salary and benefits, regulated working hours and rest periods, and reasonable working conditions. Employees also have the right to privacy and should not be expected to engage in work communication outside official hours without clear agreement.

Employers must clearly define expectations for remote work, including performance standards, communication norms, and deliverables. Employees have the right to understand what is expected of them in a remote role. This ensures transparency and helps avoid disputes related to workload, availability, and evaluation.