Ecuador (EC)

Rules: Employees absent due to illness must notify the employer and present a medical certificate from an IESS-affiliated physician or a licensed private doctor. The employer covers full salary for the first 3 days of illness. From day 4, IESS pays sickness benefit (subsidio por enfermedad) at 75% of the contribution base salary. To qualify for IESS benefit, the employee must have contributed for a minimum of 180 days in the 6 months before illness (or 189 days in the previous 8 months). Employer must maintain the employment relationship during illness; dismissal during certified sick leave is a cause of action for unjustified dismissal.

Doctor note: From day 1 — employee must notify employer of absence on the first day and present a medical certificate issued by an IESS policlínico or licensed private physician within 3 days. For IESS subsidy, an IESS-issued incapacity certificate (certificado médico de reposo del IESS) is required from day 4.

Employer pay: Days 1–3: employer pays 100% of contracted salary. From day 4: IESS pays 75% of the contribution base; employer must top up from the 4th day if the collective agreement or contract requires it. Maximum employer obligation: 3 days per sickness episode.

Long-term: IESS sickness benefit continues up to 182 days per illness episode (renewable with IESS approval). For permanent disability, IESS Seguro de Invalidez provides a pension of 40–70% of the reference salary depending on degree of incapacity and contribution history. Workers must apply to IESS Departamento de Riesgos del Trabajo or Seguro de Invalidez.

Max hours: 40 hours per week (Código del Trabajo Art. 47, as amended). Standard daily limit: 8 hours. Night work (19:00–06:00): maximum 7 hours per night, paid at a 25% premium. Workers in hazardous sectors have reduced hours per sector-specific regulations. Maximum overtime: 4 hours/day and 12 hours/week under CT Art. 55.

Min rest: Minimum 12 consecutive hours between shifts (CT Art. 34 — the "continuous rest" rule). Mandatory at least 1 full rest day per week (Sunday is the default, but it can be substituted by agreement). Annual national holidays: 12 mandatory paid holidays. Workers who work on mandatory holidays are entitled to triple pay.

Overtime: Overtime (horas suplementarias): hours 41–48/week paid at 150% (time + 50%). Extraordinary hours (horas extraordinarias): beyond 48 hours or at night paid at 200% (double time) under CT Art. 55. Maximum 4 hours/day overtime. Overtime must be agreed in writing; habitual undeclared overtime is a Labour Inspectorate violation.