Standard work time

Chile's standard work time regulation establishes a maximum ordinary working week of 45 hours, distributed across a minimum of five and maximum of six consecutive working days. This rule applies to most private and public sector employees and sets the baseline for regular employment contracts.

The regulation is governed by the Chilean Labour Code (Código del Trabajo) and administered by the Dirección del Trabajo (DT), the country's labour authority. The 45-hour weekly maximum represents the ordinary working time that employers may require without triggering overtime compensation obligations. Employers retain flexibility in how they distribute these hours across the working week, provided they maintain continuity within the five to six-day framework and comply with mandatory rest periods.

The current 45-hour standard has been in effect since 2017, when Chile reduced the maximum from 48 hours per week as part of labour reform efforts. This change reflected broader policy shifts toward work-life balance and employee wellbeing.

Payroll and HR teams must ensure that timekeeping systems accurately track hours worked against the 45-hour threshold. Any hours exceeding this weekly maximum constitute overtime and must be compensated at rates specified in the Labour Code, typically at a 50% premium for the first two hours and 75% thereafter. Employers should document work schedules clearly and maintain records demonstrating compliance with the distribution requirements. Collective agreements may establish different arrangements, but they cannot reduce the 45-hour maximum below the statutory floor. Regular audits of payroll records help prevent unintended overtime liability.