What Happens to Your Christmas Bonus If You Quit or Get Fired Before December?

Labor and employment attorney Camilo Cuervo was quoted in an article published by La República about the consequences of non-payment of year-end bonuses in Colombia. Mr. Cuervo pointed out that non-compliance could result in monetary sanctions by the Ministry of Labor, with fines ranging from one to 5,000 current monthly minimum wages (smmlv). Furthermore, if the employer does not pay the premiums, the employee could claim resignation with just cause or resort to constructive dismissal, which could lead to compensation for unfair dismissal.

“An administrative breach could be reviewed and eventually sanctioned by the Ministry of Labor, which imposes fines for non-compliance with labor regulations, for not having paid the worker; but the Ministry cannot force the employer to pay it”, he said.

READ: What Happens to Your Christmas Bonus If You Quit or Get Fired Before December?