Overtime and Pay

What is overtime?

Overtime is the amount of time that an employee works beyond his/her normal working hours.

Is one paid for overtime?

Yes. If you work beyond your normal working hours you are entitled to overtime pay.

What determines overtime hours?

Overtime is determined by custom, practices of a given profession, legislation or by agreement between employers and workers.

Is overtime recognized in Malawi?

Yes. Malawi’s Employment Act of 2000 recognises three classes of overtime, known respectively as Ordinary, Day Off and Holiday. The Act maintains that employees need to have overtime if they are to work effectively and that it is important for employees to offer overtime.

What does each overtime entail?

• Ordinary overtime is the time worked in a working day in excess of the hours normally worked by the employee.
• Day Off overtime is the time worked by an employee on a day on which he/she would otherwise be off duty.
• Holiday overtime is the time worked on a public holiday.

What sort of pay applies to overtime?

• For each hour of Ordinary overtime an employee should be paid at the hourly rate of not less than one and one half their wage per one hour. 
• For each hour of Day Off overtime an employee should be paid at the hourly rate of not less than twice their wage per one hour. 
• For each hour of Holiday overtime an employee should be paid at a rate of not less than twice the normal hourly rate.

Are there alternatives to overtime pay?

Some companies who have their workers on overtime prefer not to pay them but give them a day off which can be added to their leave days. 

What are the normal working hours in Malawi?

An employee who normally works six days during a week is expected to work for not more than eight hours on any day. Exceeding that means working overtime. Those working normally for not more than five days during a week are supposed to work for not more than 12 hours on any day.

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Find out more about Work Tips in Malawi.