The workday and work hours are also strictly regulated by Chilean labor law; most importantly:

  • Break between workdays: Employees must get a break of at least the amount of time they worked the previous day (if they worked for 9 hours, they must be given at least a 9-hour break);
  • Regular workweek: The regular work week is, for most industries, 45 hours over a maximum of 6 days.  Any extra time is considered overtime.
  • Weekends & holidays: For companies that require employees on Sundays, those employees must have at least two Sundays off per month. If an employee works on a Sunday, a Saturday after 1pm, or a mandatory holiday (feriado), then the employer must pay the employee double her normal hourly salary for that time.
  • Overtime: If the employee works hours that are not her normal hours or a Saturday before 1pm, then the employer must pay her 50% more than the normal salary. If her extra hours are on a Sunday, a Saturday after 1pm or a mandatory holiday (feriado), then the employer must pay her double for those hours.  Employees may not work more than 2 hours of overtime per day.