Saudi Overtime Rules: Calculation and Your Rights
Saudi Labour Law sets clear rules on working hours and overtime compensation. If you work beyond the standard 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week, you are entitled to overtime pay at 150% of your normal rate. Many employers either do not pay overtime or calculate it incorrectly. Here is how to verify you are being paid correctly.
Standard Working Hours
Under Article 98 of the Saudi Labour Law, the maximum standard working hours are 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. This can be distributed across 6 working days, with the weekly rest day (typically Friday) being mandatory.
During Ramadan, working hours for Muslim employees are reduced to 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week (Article 98). This reduction is mandatory and employers cannot require Muslim workers to work standard hours during Ramadan without paying overtime.
Overtime Calculation Formula
Article 107 requires overtime to be paid at the basic hourly rate plus 50% premium. The calculation is straightforward.
Hourly rate = (Monthly basic salary / 30) / daily working hours
Overtime rate = Hourly rate x 1.5
Example: SAR 5,000 basic / 30 days / 8 hours = SAR 20.83/hour
Overtime rate = SAR 20.83 x 1.5 = SAR 31.25/hour
Key detail: Overtime is calculated on basic salary only, not total salary. If your package includes housing, transport, or other allowances, these are excluded from the overtime calculation unless your contract states otherwise.
Overtime Limits
Maximum 720 overtime hours per year per employee
Cannot exceed 12 total hours (regular + overtime) in a single day
Weekly rest day work is overtime at 150% if no compensatory day off given
Public holiday work is paid at 150% overtime rate
How to Claim Unpaid Overtime
If your employer is not paying overtime or is calculating it incorrectly, keep records of your actual working hours — use a personal time log, photographs of clock-in/out screens, or WhatsApp messages showing late work requests. Then file a complaint with HRSD through the Musaned portal or call 19911.
The Labour Court can order back-payment of unpaid overtime for up to 12 months. Claims for overtime older than 12 months may be rejected under the statute of limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is overtime calculated?
150% of basic hourly rate. Hourly rate = monthly basic salary / 30 / daily hours. Only basic salary counts, not allowances.
What are maximum working hours?
8 hours/day or 48 hours/week. During Ramadan: 6 hours/day or 36 hours/week for Muslim employees.
Can my employer force overtime?
Only in emergencies or to prevent loss. Maximum 720 overtime hours/year. Cannot exceed 12 total hours in any single day.
Is Friday work overtime?
If Friday is your rest day and you work without a compensatory day off, all hours are paid at 150% overtime rate.
Check Your Overtime Clause
Some contracts include clauses that waive overtime rights or include overtime in basic salary. Upload yours to TenderScan and we will flag any problematic terms.
Review Your Contract