GCC
Qatar
Working Hours, Overtime, Leaves

Working Hours, Overtime, Leaves

Q: What are the standard working hours in Qatar?

As per the Qatar Labour Law, the maximum limit of the regular working hours shall be forty-eight (48) hours per week and eight hours per day.

Q: What are the standard working hours in Qatar during Ramadan?

During Ramadan, the standard working hours in Qatar are reduced to 36 hours per month, at 6 hours per day.

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Q: Can an employee work more than five consecutive hours without a break in Qatar?

No, as per the laws, a worker in Qatar cannot work more than five consecutive hours without a break.

Q: How is overtime pay calculated in Qatar? 

In Qatar, overtime pay is required for any hours worked beyond the standard daily or monthly limits. The overtime rate is at least the basic wage plus 25%.

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Is there a higher overtime rate for night shifts in Qatar?

 Yes, in Qatar, for work between 9 pm and 6 am, the overtime rate is at least the basic wage plus 50% (except for shift workers).

Q: How many days of paid leave do employees get per year in Qatar?

The minimum annual leave in Qatar is three weeks for employees with less than five years of service and four weeks for those with more than five years.

Q: How many public holidays do employees get in Qatar? 

The worker shall be entitled to annual, leave with full wage as follows: 

  • Three working days for Eid EI-Fitr 
  • Three working days for Eid Al-Adha 
  • One working day for the Independence day
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Q: Can an employer split up an employee's annual leave in Qatar?

Yes, with the employee's consent, the employer in Qatar can split the leave into two periods.

Q: What happens if an employee leaves a job before taking all their annual leave in Qatar?

If an employee leaves a job before taking all their annual leave in Qatar, they are entitled to payment for the unused leave days.

Q: How many sick leaves does a worker get in Qatar? 

Workers in Qatar are eligible for 14 days (2 weeks) of paid sick leave.  You must be employed for at least three months before being eligible for paid sick leave. The worker must also provide a medical certificate from a registered physician. 

Q: How long is a worker paid their full wage during sick leave in Qatar?

An employee is paid their full wage if the sick leave does not exceed two weeks. If the sick leave extends beyond two weeks, the worker is paid half of their wage for another four weeks. The extension of sick leave beyond six weeks is without pay until the worker resumes work, resigns, or their service is terminated for health reasons.

Also Read: What Is A Medical Leave Of Absence?

Q: Under what conditions can the employer terminate the employee’s service during sick leave?

The employer can terminate the worker's service at the end of the twelfth week of sick leave if a report from a competent physician proves that the worker is unable to resume work at that time.

Q: What entitlement does a worker have if they resign due to sickness before the end of the entitled sick leave period?

If a worker resigns due to sickness with the approval of a competent physician before the end of the six months of entitled sick leave with pay, the employer must pay the worker the balance of their entitlement.

Q: How long is the maternity leave in Qatar? 

As per the labour laws, maternity leave is of 50 days in Qatar. This term includes both prepartum and postpartum leave, with at least 35 days required after delivery.

Q: What happens if the remaining maternity leave after delivery is less than thirty days?

 If the remaining period after delivery is less than thirty days, the female worker may use complementary leave from her annual leave. Otherwise, the additional period will be considered as leave without pay.

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Q: How many days of paternity leave do most companies in Qatar typically allow after childbirth, despite it not being legally required?

Paternity leave in Qatar is not mandated by law. Despite this, most firms provide 5 days of paternity leave following births.

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