Standard work time

Chile's standard work time rule establishes the maximum ordinary working day within a weekly framework. The current maximum duration is 45 hours per week, distributed across no fewer than five and no more than six continuous working days. This regulation applies to most employees in the private and public sectors, setting the baseline for regular employment contracts.

The rule is governed by Chile's Labour Code (Código del Trabajo) and administered by the Dirección del Trabajo (DT), the country's labour authority. The DT provides official guidance on work time regulations through its published materials and interpretive documents.

Chile's work time framework underwent significant reform through Law 21,186, which took effect on 1 January 2023. This reform reduced the maximum weekly working hours from 45 to 40 hours per week, representing a substantial change to employment standards. The law maintains flexibility in how these hours are distributed across the working week, provided they fall within the five to six continuous working days requirement.

Employers and payroll teams must ensure that employment contracts and scheduling practices comply with the 40-hour weekly maximum. Time tracking systems should accurately record hours worked to prevent exceeding statutory limits. Overtime beyond the standard hours must be compensated according to Chilean labour law, typically at premium rates. Organisations operating in Chile should review existing contracts and payroll policies to align with the 2023 reform, ensuring compliance with the reduced weekly threshold and proper documentation of all hours worked.