The UAE’s updated labour law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) places strict requirements on employers regarding working hours, overtime, and leave entitlements. Proper attendance tracking is no longer optional — it’s a legal necessity.
Key UAE Labour Law Requirements for Attendance
- Maximum working hours: 8 hours per day / 48 hours per week (Article 17)
- Overtime: Must be compensated at 125% of normal rate (150% for night hours)
- Annual leave: 30 calendar days for employees with 1+ year service
- Public holidays: Employees must not be marked absent on official UAE public holidays
- Record keeping: Employers must maintain accurate attendance records
How SmartBioTime Ensures Compliance
Accurate Working Hours
SmartBioTime calculates total working minutes per day automatically. The system flags any day where an employee exceeds 8 hours, helping you track overtime liability before it becomes a dispute.
Holiday Management
Add all UAE public holidays (National Day, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, etc.) into the system once. SmartBioTime automatically skips absent marking for those dates — keeping your records clean and dispute-free.
Leave Integration
Record employee leaves directly in the system. The Exception column in reports clearly shows whether an absence was a holiday, approved leave, or unexplained — giving you a clear audit trail.
Exportable Records
Generate attendance reports for any date range and export to Excel. These records are admissible evidence in UAE labour dispute cases at the Ministry of Human Resources.
Avoid Costly Fines
UAE labour violations can result in fines of AED 5,000 to AED 50,000 per violation. Proper attendance records protect your business. Start your free SmartBioTime demo today.