Chile Employment Guide

Chile is on South America’s southwestern coast, with a long, narrow territory stretching far north-south and diverse terrain, including the Andes Mountains, coastal plains and southern glaciers. It has ~19 million people; its economy focuses on mining (especially copper), agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and services, with Santiago (the capital) as the political, economic and cultural center. Chile’s labor laws require written labor contracts, set a 45-hour standard workweek, and guarantee minimum wages and social insurance. Dismissals must follow legal procedures and provide employees with corresponding compensation. The laws also stipulate benefits like paid annual leave, sick leave and maternity leave, ensuring relatively standardized employment relations overall.

Check recruitment costs

Currency

Chilean Peso (CLP)

Capital

Santiago

Official language

Spanish

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in Chile

Browse the following tags to learn all about hiring employees in Chile

Essential Components of Employment Contracts in Chile

When drafting employment agreements for Chile, contracts must be prepared in Spanish, though bilingual versions are acceptable. Written documentation signed by both parties is mandatory. Key elements that must be clearly outlined include:

Full legal names of employer and employee
Contract commencement date
Duration of employment period
Detailed job description and responsibilities
Remote work arrangements and specifications
Conditions for disconnection rights
Termination clauses and procedures

Practical Considerations for International Employers

Companies like SailGlobal have successfully navigated Chilean employment regulations by implementing standardized contract templates that incorporate local legal requirements while maintaining global HR consistency.

Understanding Chile's Probation Period Regulations

Unlike many countries, Chile does not mandate statutory probation periods for employment relationships. This unique aspect requires employers to carefully structure initial employment terms and performance evaluation systems.

Alternative Approaches to Employee Assessment

Progressive organizations often implement structured performance review cycles during the initial months of employment to assess compatibility and skills alignment without formal probation frameworks.

Hire easily in Chile

Compare employee hiring costs across over 100 countries worldwide, helping you accurately calculate labor costs. Try it now

Cost Calculator

Please select the country/region you wish to recruit from, and the calculation can be done with just a few clicks.