Understanding Colombia's Evolving Work Hours Regulations

As an international HR professional, navigating Colombia's labor landscape requires staying current with progressive changes to working time regulations. The country is implementing a significant reduction in maximum weekly hours through Law 2101 of 2021, which aims to improve work-life balance while maintaining compensation levels.

Maximum Working Hours and Overtime Regulations

Progressive Reduction Timeline

Colombia's maximum weekly working hours are undergoing a phased reduction from 48 to 42 hours by 2026. The current schedule demonstrates a thoughtful approach to workforce management:

Implementation Period	Maximum Weekly Hours
July 15, 2023 - July 14, 2024	47 hours
July 15, 2024 - July 14, 2025	46 hours
July 15, 2025 - July 14, 2026	44 hours
From July 15, 2026 onward	42 hours

Critical to note: this reduction cannot result in decreased salaries, benefits, or hourly compensation values. Employers must maintain all existing obligations while adapting to the new schedules.

Night Work Provisions

Night work in Colombia, defined as labor performed between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, carries specific compensation requirements. Employers typically apply a 35% surcharge to base wages for night shifts, though collective bargaining agreements may establish different rates. This premium acknowledges the additional challenges of nocturnal work schedules.

Special Workforce Protections

Colombian law provides tailored protections for vulnerable worker categories. Youth workers aged 15-17 cannot exceed 6 daily hours or 30 weekly hours, with night work strictly prohibited. Domestic workers benefit from maximum 10-hour days and guaranteed weekly rest periods, reflecting consideration for their unique working conditions.

Rest Periods and Overtime Compensation

Mandatory Breaks

Employees must receive at least 30 minutes of rest after every 4 consecutive working hours. While this represents the legal minimum, many progressive companies offer additional break times to enhance productivity and wellbeing.

Sunday Work Requirements

Sunday rest constitutes a fundamental right for Colombian workers. When Sunday work becomes necessary, employers must provide 75% premium pay plus compensatory time off. This dual compensation approach ensures proper work-life balance maintenance.

Overtime Compensation Structure

Overtime regulations permit maximum 2 daily hours or 12 weekly hours, requiring voluntary written agreements valid for three-month periods. Compensation varies by timing:

Daytime overtime: 25% surcharge
Night overtime: 75% surcharge
Sunday/holiday work: 75% surcharge
Combined night and Sunday work: 150% total surcharge

Employment Contracts and Trial Periods

Contract Types and Requirements

Colombian labor relationships can be established verbally, but written contracts provide crucial clarity. For organizations employing five or more workers without written contracts, mandatory registration must detail work nature, compensation, and duration. Primary contract types include:

Fixed-term contracts (maximum 3 years)
Indefinite-term contracts
Task-specific contracts
Temporary contracts (under 1 month)
Apprenticeship contracts

Pending labor reforms may prioritize indefinite-term contracts, limiting fixed-term arrangements to genuinely temporary needs.

Trial Period Regulations

Trial periods serve as mutual evaluation phases before full employment commitment. Duration varies by contract type:

Indefinite contracts: maximum 2 months
Fixed-term contracts: up to one-fifth of total duration
Domestic workers: 15 days maximum

These periods must be explicitly documented in writing to be legally valid.

Practical Implementation Considerations

International companies like SailGlobal often encounter challenges adapting to Colombia's detailed labor requirements. Successful implementation involves:

Developing comprehensive time-tracking systems
Training local managers on compliance requirements
Establishing clear overtime authorization protocols
Maintaining detailed records for labor inspections

Recent cases demonstrate that companies prioritizing compliance while embracing the spirit of Colombia's worker protection laws achieve better employee retention and operational stability. SailGlobal's experience shows that proactive adaptation to these regulations ultimately strengthens employer branding and workforce satisfaction.

Colombia Working Hours 2024: Complete Guide to Labor Regulations