Living close to work? It’s a blessing and a curse really, depending on how you look at it. Some people really enjoy taking the time to listen to rap music on the way to work, or even get work done on the way. Others prefer to wake up 30 minutes before their shift and still make it on time because they live super close.

Whether you live one metro stop away or you live all the way in Sharjah, there are some cases where you can count the commute to work, as your official working hours.

There are 3 situations where your commute to work will count towards your working hours as per the new UAE labour law

The Federal Decree-Law Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship, under Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021, Article 17, point 3, stated:

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The periods spent by the worker during the commute between his place of residence and the workplace, shall not be counted in the working hours, except for some categories of workers in accordance with the rules defined in the Implementing Regulation hereof.

While Article 17 states that commuting from an employee’s residence to work shall not be counted as part of office hours, the ‘Executive Regulations’ provide a few exceptions.

The exceptions are: (according to K&L Gates)

• Due to bad weather and responses to any warnings issued by the National Center of Meteorology regarding weather changes and conditions.
• Time spent by the employee in the means of transport provided by the employer in the event of a traffic accident or emergency.
• If the parties expressly agree on this in the employment contract.

#TrafficUpdate | 08:28#Accident on Ras Al Khor rd at Dubai Design District exit towards Al Khail rd, resulting in traffic delays. Please be extra cautious. pic.twitter.com/IIvMQyTk5K

— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) January 20, 2022