Employment relationships in Costa Rica are governed by the Labor Code (Código de Trabajo) and the Labor Procedure Reform (Reforma Procesal Laboral). We advise employees and employers so that their rights and obligations are honored, favoring settlement when it is in our client’s interest.

What we do for you

• Dismissals with and without employer liability.
• Calculation of statutory benefits: notice pay (preaviso), severance pay (cesantía), accrued vacation and the year-end bonus (aguinaldo, a statutory “13th-month” payment).
• Labor lawsuits and defense of employers.
• Judicial and out-of-court settlements.
• Disciplinary procedures and preventive counsel for businesses.

Frequently asked questions

I was dismissed. What should I do first?

Keep your dismissal letter and your pay slips, and do not sign any resignation or settlement documents without legal advice. During the consultation we determine whether the dismissal was with or without employer liability and calculate what you are owed.

Do you also represent employers?

Yes. We advise employers on hiring, disciplinary procedures and dismissals, and defend them in court.

How much time do I have to claim my employment rights?

The deadline is short: as a general rule, rights arising from an employment contract become time-barred one year after the employment relationship ends. Do not wait; contact us as soon as your employment ends.

If I resign, what am I owed?

As a rule, payment for unused vacation and the prorated year-end bonus (aguinaldo). Notice pay (preaviso) and severance (cesantía) are owed when the dismissal is without just cause, and also when the employee resigns for just cause, for example because the employer seriously breached its obligations. We review your case during the consultation.

This information is general and is no substitute for an analysis of your specific case. Every matter is assessed individually during a consultation.