Overtime in Egypt: how to calculate it and get it approved
How to turn overtime hours into pay, the multipliers most companies use for workdays, rest days and public holidays, and how to stop overtime disputes before payday.
The short answer
Work out the hourly rate from the monthly gross: gross ÷ 30 days ÷ 8 hours. Then pay each overtime hour at a multiple of it: 1.35 on workdays, 2 on weekly rest days and 3 on public holidays.
These are keyt HR’s default rules. Contracts, company policy and the labour law in force can set other rates, so confirm yours with your lawyer.
The hourly rate
Most Egyptian payrolls divide the monthly salary by 30 days, then by the daily working hours. For a gross of EGP 12,000 and an 8-hour day, the hourly rate is EGP 50.
If your company works different hours, use your own: a 9-hour day gives a lower hourly rate than an 8-hour one.
Multipliers
| When the hours are worked | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| After the shift on a workday | × 1.35 |
| On a weekly rest day | × 2 |
| On a public holiday | × 3 |
Worked example
- Gross EGP 12,000 → hourly rate EGP 50
- 10 hours on workdays × 1.35 = EGP 675
- 8 hours on a rest day × 2 = EGP 800
- Overtime for the month: EGP 1,475, added to taxable income
Approve overtime before payday
- Count overtime only after the shift ends, and set a minimum (for example 30 minutes) so a few minutes don’t add up
- Have the direct manager approve the hours first, then HR confirm them
- Pay only approved overtime, and keep the record of who approved it
- Close and approve the month’s overtime before you run payroll
Overtime approved and paid without spreadsheets
keyt HR measures overtime from punches, asks the manager and then HR to approve it, and pays only approved hours.
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