Working Hours and Overtime in Taiwan

What Are the Standard Working Hours In Taiwan?

An employee in Taiwan typically works a maximum of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. All employees, regardless of age, are subject to these standard working hours under Taiwan's Labor Standards Act (LSA). A minimum meal interval of 30 minutes must be observed by employees who work more than 4 continuous hours in a day. In typical working hours, Monday through Friday, the hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break.

Maximum Working Hours in Taiwan

The legal cap is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week, usually over a five-day workweek. Employers may adjust schedules within a 2-week or 8-week framework, but weekly hours must not exceed 48, and daily hours must stay within 8. Employees can work up to 12 hours a day (regular + overtime), with a monthly overtime cap of 46 hours and a 3-month limit of 138 hours.

Industry Specific Exceptions

Certain industries in Taiwan operate under unique rules. Healthcare staff, transport workers (like bus and taxi drivers), maritime professionals, and emergency service employees often work shifts that deviate from the standard schedule. While shift structures differ, maximum hours still generally adhere to the law's limits.

Managerial and Exempt Employees

Managerial employees, defined as those with supervisory duties and decision-making authority, are not exempt from standard working hours. Though they often have flexibility in scheduling, they remain entitled to overtime pay, subject to individual contracts and employer policies.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours in Taiwan

Full-time employment in Taiwan is legally defined as 40 hours per week, usually spread over five days. While companies may implement flexible or compressed schedules, the 40-hour threshold holds across most sectors. Part-time workers clock fewer hours and receive proportional benefits.

Overtime Regulations in Taiwan

Taiwan strictly regulates overtime to prevent worker exploitation. Overtime includes any work beyond the standard 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week, whether during regular days, flexible rest days, or public holidays. Employers must record and compensate all overtime accurately.

What Counts As Overtime in Taiwan?

Overtime includes any work exceeding 8 hours per day or 40 per week. It also covers hours worked on flexible or fixed rest days and national holidays. Overtime must be documented and compensated based on precise time worked.

Maximum Overtime In Taiwan

The monthly overtime cap is 46 hours, with a maximum of 138 hours in any three-month period. The daily maximum (including overtime) is 12 hours. Violations incur fines from NT$20,000 to NT$1,000,000, with increasing penalties for repeat offenses. Authorities regularly inspect employers and allow workers to report violations.

Overtime Payout Rates In Taiwan

Rest Periods and Breaks In Taiwan

Employees are entitled to at least 11 consecutive hours of rest between shifts, reducible to 8 hours under specific agreements. For every 4 hours of continuous work, workers must get a 30-minute break. Employers must maintain time records for five years and ensure compliance with rest and meal break laws.

Night Shifts and Weekend Regulations

Night shifts in Taiwan are defined as work from 10 PM to 6 AM. Though no specific legal premium applies, many employers offer night shift allowances (10–20% of regular hourly pay). Weekend work on Flexible Rest Days pays up to 2.66x, while Fixed Rest Day and holiday work must be compensated at 2.66x regular wages.

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.