Working on Sundays in Brazil: rules, days off and pay

Weekly rest should preferably fall on Sundays (Constitution, art. 7, XV). When Sunday work is allowed, the employee is entitled to a compensating day off on another weekday. In retail, the day off must fall on a Sunday at least once every three weeks (Law 10,101/2000, art. 6, sole paragraph). A Sunday worked without a day off that week must be paid double.

Quick summary

• Rule: 24 hours of rest a week, preferably on Sunday.
• Sunday work: requires a compensating day off on another day.
• Retail: at least one Sunday off every 3 weeks.
• Women: the CLT provides for a fortnightly rotation favoring Sunday rest (art. 386).
• No day off: the Sunday worked is paid double (TST Precedent 146).

Who can work on Sundays

Some activities have permanent permission to operate on Sundays, such as hospitals, transport, hotels, restaurants and retail in general, subject to municipal law. Even then, the weekly day off remains mandatory and must appear on the schedule.

How to check your schedule

1. The schedule must be published in advance.
2. Count the weekly day off: there must be at least one a week.
3. In retail, check there is a Sunday off every three weeks.
4. Look at the collective agreement: many provide a premium for Sunday work.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Sunday worked paid double?

Only if there is no compensating day off that week. With a day off on another day, Sunday is paid at the normal rate, unless the agreement is more favorable.

Can I work every Sunday of the month?

Not in retail: the day off must fall on a Sunday at least once every 3 weeks.

Do holidays follow the same rule?

A holiday worked also requires another day off or double pay. See the guide on working on holidays.

Read more in this series

• Paid weekly rest (DSR)
• Working on holidays: day off or double pay
• Relief workers: schedule and rights
• Index: complete guide to labor rights

Topic: this guide is part of Working hours, with all the guides on the subject.