Collective vacation in Brazil: rules, notice and workers with less than 1 year

*Collective vacation (férias coletivas) is granted to all employees of a company, an establishment or a department at the same time. It can be split into up to 2 periods a year, none shorter than 10 days, and the employer must notify the union and the Ministry of Labor 15 days in advance.*

Quick summary

• For whom: the whole company, an establishment or a department (CLT, art. 139 — the CLT is Brazil's Consolidated Labor Laws).
• Periods: up to 2 per year, each of at least 10 days.
• Notice: 15 days in advance, to the Ministry of Labor and the union, with a notice posted at the workplace; micro and small businesses are exempt from notifying the Ministry.
• Payment: salary + 1/3, up to 2 days before the start.
• Less than 12 months with the company: receives proportional vacation and a new accrual period begins (art. 140).

Workers with less than 1 year at the company

A worker with less than 12 months takes vacation proportional to the time worked. If the collective period is longer than their entitlement, the extra days count as paid leave. After the collective vacation, a new accrual period starts.

Step by step to check

1. Check the notice: start and end dates, posted in advance.
2. Check the payment up to 2 days before, with the 1/3.
3. Count your days: if you have less than 12 months, how many proportional days you are entitled to.
4. Check the new accrual period on your payslip or in the company's system.
5. Questions? Contact the union, which also receives the notice.

Frequently asked questions

Can the employer give collective vacation at the end of the year?

Yes, as long as it respects the minimum periods, the 15-day notice and advance payment.

Must someone with less than 1 year take collective vacation?

Yes. They receive proportional vacation and, if the period is longer, the extra days are paid leave.

Can collective vacation days be sold?

Converting 1/3 of collective vacation into a cash allowance depends on a collective agreement between the company and the union (art. 143, §2).

Read more in this series

• CLT vacation: rules, splitting, selling days and double pay
• 13th salary: how to calculate, payment deadlines and deductions
• CLT worker rights: complete guide
• End of the 6x1 schedule: what changes in working hours and when
• Index: complete guide to labor rights