Gratuity for Part-Time Employees in UAE Explained

Part-time workers in the UAE have the same gratuity rights as full-time employees under MOHRE law. Many part-timers don't realize they're entitled to end-of-service benefits. This guide clarifies your rights and how gratuity is calculated.

Key Fact: Part-Time = Full Rights

Part-time employment status does NOT reduce your gratuity entitlements:

✅ Same eligibility thresholds (6 months for limited, 1 year for unlimited)
✅ Same calculation formula
✅ Same tier rates (1/3, 2/3, 1 full month)
✅ Same dispute resolution rights

The only difference: Your basic salary is lower (part-time hourly/weekly rate), so gratuity amount is proportionally lower.

Part-Time Gratuity Calculation

Formula (Identical to Full-Time)

Gratuity = (Basic Salary ÷ 30) × Tier % × Years

Part-time adjustment: Basic salary is your monthly part-time wage (not full-time equivalent).

Example: Part-Time vs Full-Time Comparison

Full-time employee:

• Hours: 40/week
• Monthly salary: AED 6,000
• Service: 3 years
• Gratuity: (6,000÷30) × 0.3333 × 3 = AED 600

Part-time employee (same company, same role, half hours):

• Hours: 20/week (50% of full-time)
• Monthly salary: AED 3,000 (50% of full-time)
• Service: 3 years
• Gratuity: (3,000÷30) × 0.3333 × 3 = AED 300

Difference: Part-time receives half, proportional to salary.

Eligibility for Part-Time Workers

Minimum Service Thresholds

| Contract Type | Minimum Required | Part-Timer Status | |---|---|---| | Limited | 6 months continuous | Same as full-time | | Unlimited | 1 year continuous | Same as full-time |

"Continuous" means:

• Working every scheduled shift (or valid excused absences)
• No breaks in employment
• Full accrual even if working fewer hours

Example Scenarios

Scenario 1: Part-Time, Below Threshold

• Started: 1 July 2025
• Ended: 30 November 2025 (limited contract)
• Service: 5 months (below 6-month threshold)
• Gratuity: AED 0 (not eligible yet)

Scenario 2: Part-Time, Meets Threshold

• Started: 1 January 2025
• Ended: 30 June 2025 (limited contract, 20 hours/week)
• Service: Exactly 6 months
• Monthly part-time salary: AED 2,000
• Gratuity: (2,000÷30) × 0.3333 × 0.5 = AED 33 ✅ Eligible

Scenario 3: Part-Time, Long Service

• Started: 1 January 2020
• Ended: 31 December 2024 (unlimited contract, renewed)
• Service: 5 years
• Monthly part-time salary: AED 2,500
• Tiers:
  • Years 1–3: (2,500÷30) × 0.3333 × 3 = AED 250
  • Years 3–5: (2,500÷30) × 0.6667 × 2 = AED 1,111
  • Total: AED 1,361 (full gratuity at 5-year mark!)

What Counts as Part-Time?

Recognized Part-Time Arrangements

✅ Hourly contracts (fewer than 40 hours/week)
✅ Weekly shifts (e.g., 3 days per week)
✅ Seasonal part-time (e.g., 6 months/year)
✅ Flexible part-time (agreed hours)
✅ Multiple part-time roles (if documented separately)

Employment Contract Requirements

Your part-time contract must specify:

• Hourly rate or daily rate
• Weekly hours or monthly hours
• Basic monthly salary calculation

Example:

"Employee works 20 hours per week at AED 75/hour, resulting in monthly salary of AED 3,000. This constitutes the basic salary for all benefits and gratuity calculations."

Gratuity Calculation for Irregular Part-Time

If your hours vary monthly:

Use your average monthly salary over the last 3 months:

| Month | Hours | Rate | Monthly | |-------|-------|------|---------| | Oct 2024 | 80 | AED 100 | AED 8,000 | | Sep 2024 | 72 | AED 100 | AED 7,200 | | Aug 2024 | 76 | AED 100 | AED 7,600 | | Average | | | AED 7,600 |

Use AED 7,600 as the basic salary for gratuity calculation.

Resignation Impact for Part-Timers

Same rules as full-time:

| Tenure | Entitlement | |--------|-----------| | <3 years | 50% | | 3–5 years | 66% | | 5+ years | 100% |

Example:

• Part-time, 4 years service
• Calculated gratuity: AED 800
• You resign
• You receive: 66% × AED 800 = AED 528

Common Part-Time Gratuity Issues

Issue 1: Employer Claims Part-Timers Aren't Eligible

Reality: This is false. MOHRE law covers all private sector employees, regardless of hours.

Solution: Provide your contract showing you're employed. File MOHRE complaint if withheld.

Issue 2: Employer Uses Gross Salary (Including Overtime)

Reality: Only contracted hours count. Overtime doesn't increase gratuity base.

Solution: Ensure basic salary is used (part-time rate × regular hours only).

Issue 3: Employer Claims Gratuity "Doesn't Apply" to Part-Timers

Reality: Completely incorrect. Part-timers have full gratuity rights.

Solution: Cite MOHRE FDL 33/2021. All private sector = all rights.

Verification Checklist for Part-Timers

Before accepting a settlement:

• [ ] My contract clearly states part-time status and monthly salary
• [ ] I've worked minimum service (6 months for limited, 1 year for unlimited)
• [ ] Gratuity uses my part-time monthly salary (not full-time equivalent)
• [ ] Calculation matches the MOHRE formula
• [ ] If resigning, correct reduction applied (50–100% based on tenure)
• [ ] Settlement letter is itemized with calculations

Related Resources

• Gratuity Eligibility in UAE: Who Qualifies
• How to Calculate Gratuity in UAE
• Resignation vs Termination: How Gratuity Differs

For an instant end-of-service estimate, use our online gratuity calculator UAE.

Disclaimer: This reflects MOHRE law as of 2025. For disputes, contact MOHRE (16000).