Working Hours and Overtime in Sri Lanka

What Are the Standard Working Hours In Sri Lanka?

An employee whose age is 18 or younger has a maximum of 8 hours per day and 45 hours per week. An employee whose age is 19 or older is allowed to work 45 hours per week. A minimum meal interval of 30 minutes must be observed by employees who work more than 6 hours in a day. In typical working hours, Monday through Friday, the hours are 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Maximum Working Hours in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, labor laws set clear boundaries on how long employees can work. The legal cap on daily working hours is generally 8 hours, with a weekly maximum of 45 hours for most workers. These limits help ensure employee wellbeing and prevent exploitation. Overtime is permitted when necessary, but it comes with restrictions. Employers must obtain consent from employees for overtime work, and there are limits to how much overtime can be required. The Factory Ordinance and Shop and Office Employees Act are the main pieces of legislation governing these restrictions, with different rules applying to different sectors.

Industry Specific Exceptions

Not all industries in Sri Lanka follow the standard working hour regulations. The healthcare sector, for instance, often operates on shift systems that may extend beyond the standard 8-hour workday, with medical professionals sometimes working longer shifts to ensure continuous patient care. The transportation industry also has unique regulations, with drivers subject to specific rest requirements to ensure road safety. Similarly, the hospitality and tourism sectors often have different working patterns to accommodate customer needs. These exceptions recognize the practical realities of certain industries while still aiming to protect workers from excessive hours.

Managerial and Exempt Employees

In Sri Lanka, managerial and exempt employees are treated differently under labor laws regarding working hours. Managerial employees are generally defined as those who have authority to hire, fire, and make significant operational decisions, or those in executive positions with substantial independent judgment. These employees are typically exempt from standard working hour restrictions and overtime pay requirements. The rationale is that their roles involve greater autonomy and responsibility, with compensation structures that account for potentially longer or irregular hours. However, even exempt employees are protected by basic health and safety regulations to prevent unreasonable working conditions.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours in Sri Lanka

Full-time employment in Sri Lanka is legally defined as 45 hours per week, typically distributed across a five-day work week. This standard applies broadly across most industries, establishing a clear benchmark for employment contracts and compensation structures. While this is the statutory definition, actual implementation may vary slightly across different sectors and organizations. Government offices might operate on slightly different schedules compared to private companies, and some industries might distribute these hours differently throughout the week. Nevertheless, the 45-hour threshold remains the standard reference point for full-time employment in the country.

Overtime Regulations in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has established comprehensive regulations governing overtime work to protect employees while allowing businesses the flexibility they need. These regulations cover what qualifies as overtime, maximum permitted hours, and required compensation rates. Understanding these rules is essential for both employers and employees to ensure fair treatment and legal compliance.

What Counts As Overtime in Sri Lanka?

In Sri Lanka, any work performed beyond the standard 8 hours per day or 45 hours per week is considered overtime. This includes additional hours worked on regular workdays, as well as any work performed on weekly rest days (typically Sundays) or public holidays. The definition applies to most employees covered under the Shop and Office Employees Act and the Factories Ordinance, though certain categories of workers may have different arrangements.

Maximum Overtime In Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan labor laws limit overtime to 12 hours per week for most workers. This cap helps prevent employee burnout and ensures reasonable working conditions. Employers who exceed these limits face potential penalties, including fines that can range from 10,000 to 50,000 Sri Lankan rupees, depending on the severity and frequency of violations. Repeated infractions can lead to more severe consequences, including possible criminal charges for egregious cases of labor exploitation.

Overtime Payout Rates In Sri Lanka

Employers in Sri Lanka must compensate overtime work at a premium rate. The standard overtime rate is 1.5 times the normal hourly wage for additional hours worked on regular workdays. This rate increases to double the normal hourly wage (2x) for work performed on weekly rest days and public holidays. These rates vary somewhat by industry, with certain sectors like manufacturing sometimes having collective agreements that establish higher premiums. Additionally, some employers offer enhanced rates for night shift overtime or extended overtime periods as an incentive, though these practices go beyond the legal minimum requirements.

Rest Periods and Breaks In Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan labor laws mandate specific rest periods to ensure employee wellbeing and productivity. Every employee is entitled to a minimum rest period of 12 consecutive hours between work shifts, giving workers adequate time to recover before returning to work. During the workday, employees who work more than 6 consecutive hours must receive a meal break of at least 30 minutes. This break is typically not counted as paid working time. For particularly long shifts, additional short breaks may be required, especially in physically demanding industries. Certain industries have enhanced rest requirements. For instance, workers in high-risk environments like construction or manufacturing may be entitled to more frequent breaks. Similarly, young workers (under 18) have additional protections, including longer mandatory rest periods. Employers are responsible for scheduling work in a way that accommodates these required breaks and must maintain records demonstrating compliance. Failure to provide mandatory rest periods can result in penalties under Sri Lankan labor regulations.

Night Shifts and Weekend Regulations

In Sri Lanka, night work is generally defined as work performed between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, though specific definitions may vary by industry. Labor laws recognize the additional strain of working during these hours and provide for special protections and compensation. Employees working night shifts are typically entitled to a night shift allowance, usually calculated as a percentage premium on their regular hourly wage. This premium commonly ranges from 15% to 25%, depending on the industry and employer policies. Some collective bargaining agreements may establish higher rates.

Weekend work, particularly on Sundays (the typical weekly rest day), requires premium compensation. Employees working on their designated weekly rest day are entitled to either an alternative day off or payment at twice their normal rate. Similar provisions apply to work on public holidays, ensuring employees receive appropriate compensation for working during times typically reserved for rest. Many employers in Sri Lanka also provide additional benefits for regular night shift workers, such as transportation allowances or meal provisions, recognizing the practical challenges associated with working non-standard hours.

How Playroll Simplifies Employer Responsibilities and Compliance

Expanding your workforce across international borders is an exciting step, but it can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing local labor laws and regulations in different countries. That’s the advantage of using an Employer of Record like Playroll:

       
• Scale your global team: Legally hire and swiftly onboard new hires in 180+ regions without the red tape by offloading the HR admin to Playroll, so you can freely explore new markets and focus on growth.
       
• Stay compliant: Our built-in compliance checks and vetted contracts mean your agreements will always meet all legal requirements for working hours, overtime regulations, and more.
       
• Pay your team accurately: Ensure your international employees and global contractors are paid on time, every time, and set up centralized global payroll processes.