Paid weekly rest (DSR) in Brazil: rules, calculation and when an absence costs you the day

*Paid weekly rest (descanso semanal remunerado, DSR) is the right to 24 consecutive hours off per week, preferably on Sundays, without losing that day's pay (Constitution, art. 7, XV; Law 605/1949). For those who regularly receive overtime or commissions, DSR must also be calculated on those amounts.* With the end of the 6x1 schedule, it becomes two rest days per week.

Quick summary

• Length: 24 consecutive hours, preferably on Sundays.
• Paid: for monthly-paid workers, it is already included in salary; hourly and daily workers receive it separately.
• An unjustified absence in the week can cause loss of DSR pay (Law 605/1949, art. 6).
• DSR on variable pay: regular overtime and commissions generate DSR (TST Precedents 27 and 172 — the TST is the Superior Labor Court).
• End of 6x1: Constitutional Amendment 141/2026 guarantees two days of paid rest per week.

How to calculate DSR on overtime

1. Add up the overtime pay for the month.
2. Divide by the number of working days in the month.
3. Multiply by the number of Sundays and holidays in the month.

Example: R$ 500 in overtime, 25 working days and 5 Sundays and holidays → R$ 500 ÷ 25 × 5 = R$ 100 in DSR.

When the worker loses DSR

The law makes payment conditional on attendance and punctuality during the week. An unjustified absence can lead to deduction of the missed day and that week's DSR. Excused absences — medical certificate, marriage, bereavement, blood donation — do not affect DSR. See Excused absences.

Sundays and holidays worked

If the worker works on the rest day and does not get a compensatory day off that week, the day must be paid double (TST Precedent 146). See Working on Christmas and New Year's.

Frequently asked questions

Do monthly-paid workers receive DSR separately?

No. For monthly-paid workers, DSR is already built into the monthly salary. What appears separately is DSR on variable pay.

Does being late cost me DSR?

The law refers to punctuality, but lateness tolerated by the employer or within the limits of CLT art. 58, §1 (the CLT is Brazil's Consolidated Labor Laws) should not cause a loss.

Read more in this series

• Relief workers: schedule and rights
• Excused absences: when you can miss work without a deduction
• Overtime: how to calculate it, limits and how to claim
• End of the 6x1 schedule: what changes in working hours
• Index: complete guide to labor rights