Standard work time

Costa Rica's standard work time rule establishes maximum weekly and daily hour limits for employees. The ordinary working day may not exceed eight hours during daytime shifts or six hours during night shifts. Weekly limits are set at 48 hours for daytime work and 36 hours for night shift work. This regulation applies to most private and public sector employees and establishes the baseline threshold above which compensation for overtime becomes mandatory.

The rule is codified in Costa Rica's Labour Code (Código de Trabajo), administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social). The specific provisions governing standard work time are found in the legislative framework that defines ordinary working hours and their relationship to overtime compensation.

Employers must structure work schedules to comply with these maximum thresholds. Any hours worked beyond 48 per week for daytime employees or 36 per week for night shift workers constitute overtime and must be compensated at premium rates established by law. Payroll teams should track hours carefully to identify when overtime thresholds are crossed and ensure proper calculation of additional compensation.

Night shift work, defined as labour performed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., carries the reduced weekly maximum of 36 hours due to the additional physical and health demands on workers. Employers operating in Costa Rica must ensure scheduling practices and timekeeping systems accurately record all hours worked to maintain compliance with these statutory limits and avoid penalties for violations.