The implementation of Chile's 40-hour workweek law will reach a new milestone next Thursday, April 26, as weekly working hours are reduced from 44 to 42. This regulatory change introduces the right for certain employees to adjust their start or end times by up to one hour.
The benefit specifically targets workers covered by the Labor Code who are responsible for children under the age of 12. To claim this benefit, employees must provide their employers with documentation verifying their family situation, such as birth certificates or legal custody orders.
Requirements and Parental Rights
Companies cannot deny requests for schedule adjustments if all legal conditions are met. The regulations mandate that employers must permit these changes within a one-hour margin to promote better work-life balance.
In households where both parents work, the law grants specific decision-making power. According to the regulations, if the mother is the employee, she has the authority to decide whether she or the father will utilize the flexible scheduling benefit.
According to information from ChileAtiende, this provision aims to allow household organization to adapt to the actual needs of each family. The measure is intended to provide legal certainty for those who rely on flexible time management to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities.