Maximum Workweek: Employees may not work more than 48 hours per week during day shift. Employers must provide one day off every six consecutive workdays. Work on a scheduled day-off requires double pay.
- Daily Working Hour Limits:
- Regular shift plus overtime cannot exceed 12 hours/day, except Night Shift, which is limited to 6 hours/day.
– Exceptions: managerial roles, intermittent tasks, or work that cannot occur at regular hours. Special circumstances (e.g., force majeure) may also extend hours.
- Regular shift plus overtime cannot exceed 12 hours/day, except Night Shift, which is limited to 6 hours/day.
- Shift Types:
- Day Shift: 8 hours/day maximum 48 hours/week, between 5:00 am–7:00 pm.
In a cumulative shift, where the employees work less than 6 days per week, or the 6th day work less hours, the daily schedule during the week can be organized up to 10 working hours per day. - Mixed Shift: 7 hours/day, maximum 42 hours/week; no more than 3.5 hours in Night Shift hours.
In a cumulative shift, where the employees work less than 6 days per week, or the 6th day work less hours, the daily schedule during the week can be organized up to 8 working hours per day. - Night Shift: 6 hours/day, maximum 36 hours/week, between 7:00 pm–5:00 am; overtime is not permitted.
- Day Shift: 8 hours/day maximum 48 hours/week, between 5:00 am–7:00 pm.
- Overtime Pay: Allowed only under exceptional circumstances (except Night Shift). Overtime is paid at 1.5 of the regular hourly rate.
- Holidays: Employees are entitled to 11 statutory holidays per year. Special rules apply if employees work on these days, typically requiring additional compensation.
- Employers must carefully plan shift schedules, monitor overtime, and comply with statutory rest periods to avoid labor disputes and additional liabilities under Costa Rican labor law.