Employment
Código del Trabajo with a 40-hour week phasing in
The Código del Trabajo regulates employment. Ley 21.561 of 2023 reduces the ordinary working week from 45 to 40 hours in stages through 2028. Dismissal requires a statutory ground; where it relies on business necessity the employee receives one month per year of service capped at 11 years, plus notice. The Dirección del Trabajo enforces compliance administratively.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National, enforced by labour courts and the Dirección del Trabajo
- Deadline — Unfair dismissal claim: 60 business days
- Deadline — Annual leave: 15 business days after one year of service
- Deadline — Severance capped at 11 years of service
Governing law
- Código del TrabajoDFL 1/2002
- Ley 21.561 - reducción de jornada laboral
- Ley 21.643 - Ley Karinworkplace harassment
In practice
The 11-year cap on severance is a notable limit compared with neighbouring systems that count unlimited years of service. Ley Karin, effective 2024, obliges employers to adopt harassment-prevention protocols and investigate complaints on defined timescales, and applies to psychological and sexual harassment as well as workplace violence by third parties.