Brazil Ministry of Management sets federal recess rules

The Brazilian Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI) has established the rules for the 2026 year-end recess for federal public servants. The regulations apply to public employees, temporary contractors, and interns linked to the Civil Personnel System of the Federal Administration (Sipec).

The recess is divided into two periods: December 21 to 25 and December 28 to January 1, 2027. Participation is optional, and staff must rotate shifts during these periods to ensure the continuity of essential services and public assistance.

Unworked hours must be compensated between October 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027. For those working in person who are not part of the Performance Management Program (PGD), compensation can be made by adjusting daily work hours, limited to two hours per day for employees and one hour for interns. For those in the PGD, compensation will be fulfilled through the completion of agreed-upon work deliverables. Failure to compensate hours within the deadline will result in proportional salary deductions.