Brazil Employment Guide

Brazil Employment Guide

Brazil is in eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic (east), Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela (north), Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay (west). It has ~210 million people; Portuguese is official, Brasília is the capital, and major cities include São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Its economy is diversified, service-led, with agriculture, mining and manufacturing also key. Labor laws (per Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho, CLT) protect wages, hours, leave and social security. Standard workweek: 44 hours (overtime needs extra pay or time off). Salaries are usually monthly (avg. BRL 2,500 pre-tax). Laws cover paid leave and protect contract/temp workers, balancing interests for a fair, sustainable labor market.

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Currency

Brazilian Real (BRL, R$)

Capital

Brasília

Official language

Portuguese

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in Brazil

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Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy in Brazil

Both full-time and part-time employees in Brazil are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid time off annually. This PTO accrues at a rate of 2.5 days per month. However, employees must complete one full year of service before becoming eligible to take annual leave. During the first year of employment, taking vacation is not permitted.

Important distinction: While SailGlobal's platform operates on business days, Brazilian PTO is calculated in calendar days. This means 20 business days equate to the full 30 calendar days of vacation entitlement.

National and Regional Holidays

Brazil observes approximately 12 national holidays totaling 14 days off. These federally recognized holidays include:

  1. New Year's Day
  2. Carnival (2 days)
  3. Good Friday and Easter Sunday
  4. Tiradentes Day
  5. Labor Day
  6. Corpus Christi
  7. Independence Day
  8. Our Lady of Aparecida
  9. All Souls' Day
  10. Republic Day
  11. Christmas Day

Additionally, Brazil has 8 regional holidays that vary by state and municipality. Some examples of regional observances include:

  1. São Paulo Foundation Day
  2. Constitutionalist Revolution Day
  3. Black Consciousness Day
  4. Rio de Janeiro local holidays (5 days annually)

Practical Implications for International Employers

Companies like SailGlobal operating in Brazil should note that regional holidays can significantly impact workforce planning. For instance, while São Paulo businesses close for Foundation Day on January 25th, this isn't observed nationally. Proper holiday management requires understanding both federal and local calendars.

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