The PR Secretary of Labor issued Opinion 2022-04, to clarify private employers’ obligations to pay the Christmas Bonus after the adoption of Act No. 41-2022, which amends the 2017 Labor Reform.
In a summary, the Opinion states that this year’s obligation to pay the Christmas Bonus arose on October 1, 2022, when Act No. 41-2022 was in full force and effect for all employers in Puerto Rico. Thus, employers are required to pay the Christmas Bonus taking into consideration seven hundred (700) or nine hundred (900) hours of work during the coverage period as described below:
|
Hire date |
Minimum worked hours
|
Minimum Christmas Bonus payment |
| Before January 26, 2017 | 700 hours or more for most employers | 6% of the total salary, up to $10,000 |
| January 26, 2017, and after
Applies to the 2022 Christmas Bonus payment | 700 hours or more for most employers
900 hours or more who work for PyMEs | 3% of the total salary, capped at $600 maximum bonus
$300 maximum bonus cap for employers with 20 employees or less |
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