Hire Employees in Brazil

How To Hire Employees in Brazil

Brazil showcases a talent-rich environment that offers vast opportunities for companies looking to hire employees, contractors, or developers in Brazil. 

To engage the Brazilian workforce legally and efficiently, businesses can consider the following strategies.

1. Hiring in Brazil by Establishing A Local Entity 

Creating a local entity in Brazil enables companies to hire directly and manage their workforce in compliance with Brazilian laws and regulations. 

This gives businesses complete control over operations, from sourcing and hiring to payroll and employee management.

However, setting up a local presence for greater operational control comes with considerable initial costs, including administrative setup, legal fees, and the responsibility of adhering to complex local regulations. 

Businesses choosing this route need to become well-versed in Brazil's comprehensive employment laws, tax system, and payroll regulations, which is a challenging endeavor.

2. How to hire Employees in Brazil through an EOR, like Skuad 

Utilizing an EOR service is a strategic and efficient way to hire employees in Brazil without the need to establish a legal entity. 

An EOR, like Skuad for instance, acts as your legal employer and handles all aspects of global employment, including:

• Onboarding
• Compliance with local laws
• Payroll management
• Taxation
• Employee benefits
• Offboarding

This allows companies to legally hire employees in Brazil while minimizing the administrative burden and mitigating legal risks.

3. How to hire Contractors in Brazil via an AOR, like Skuad

For businesses seeking a flexible and low-commitment entry into the Brazilian market, hiring independent contractors through an AOR is an efficient strategy. 

It may grant companies less control over the contractors' work schedules and methods but reduces the administrative load and offers clear insights into project scope and requirements

A good AOR service, like Skuad, ensures that:

• Contractors are compensated promptly and accurately
• Employment contracts comply with local laws
• The risk of misclassification fines is minimized

By leveraging an AOR, companies can engage Brazilian talent in a compliant and efficient manner, with reduced risk and administrative hassle.

How much does it cost to hire employees in Brazil

On average, the employee hiring costs in Brazil amount to about ~33% of the employee’s base salary. For more salary insights, try Skuad’s salary calculator.

It includes various factors like social security charges, FGTS (Fundo de Garantia por Tempo de Serviço), pension funds, and more. 

Hiring costs in Brazil

Here are some primary categories of where employers need to contribute.

• Social charges (Mandatory) - This includes INSS (Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social), Risk of Occupational Accident (RAT) / Injury Insurance, FGTS, etc.,
• Labor charges
• Benefits (Vouchers for transportation, Meals, Health plan, Insurance, Bonus)
• Administration costs
• Taxes

For more insights into hiring costs, try Skuad’s employee cost calculator.

Common Hurdles Faced When Hiring Employees in Brazil

1. Intense Competition for Skilled Talent

The Brazilian employment market offers a wide spectrum of skilled talents in areas like technology, finance, and engineering. There is fierce competition for this talent and businesses must be ready to craft attractive packages to draw talent towards them.

Besides, hiring employees in Brazil demands businesses to slip deep into cultural dimensions to gain a thorough understanding of the nuances. 

Like, the concept of "jeitinho brasileiro" (the Brazilian way of creatively solving problems) reflects a flexible approach to rules and situations, which can sometimes clash with more rigid corporate cultures.

So, employers need to be careful and invest a lot of time to understand the talent landscape in Brazil before strategizing to hire employees in Brazil.

2. Complex Labor Laws & Regulations

Brazilian labor laws are difficult to understand and require businesses to get a detailed understanding to ensure compliance. Aspects such as working hours, benefits, and termination rights must be carefully managed to steer clear of any legal complications.

The Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT), for example, outlines strict rules for hiring, salary, benefits, working hours, and termination. Navigating these laws requires deep knowledge and support from legal experts to avoid costly penalties and fines.

Read this detailed guide on the employment laws in Brazil for more information.

3. Fluctuations in Economy

The economy in Brazil is volatile at times, which impacts employment rates and labor market dynamics. Companies need to update at all times and plan their hiring cycles in tandem with the economic shifts.

Using an EOR to hire in Brazil, like Skuad, protects your company from unforeseen circumstances, economically or otherwise.

4. Bureaucracy in Visas & Legal Process

Hiring employees in Brazil and onboarding your remote workforce can be bureaucratic and time-consuming. This includes obtaining work visas for foreign nationals, which adds to the complexity.

The government expects strict adherence to all the rules and regulations, which is the usual cause of delay.

5. Perplexing Payroll & Tax Laws

Brazil's payroll and tax framework is notably complex, it has various statutory obligations for employers like income tax deductions, National Social Security Institute (INSS) contributions, and Severance Indemnity Fund (FGTS) allocations.

The Brazilian tax authority (Receita Federal) mandates immaculate record-keeping and reporting, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of tax laws and a capable payroll system.

Unfamiliarity with Brazil's detailed regulations can negatively impact a company's expansion efforts, making it a formidable challenge for employers. Here’s a payroll guide for Brazil that helps you understand better.

Hiring employees in Brazil? Skuad can help!

Streamline global hiring and management process across 160+ countries.

Hire, pay, and manage your remote teams in Brazil legally with Skuad as your EOR partner. 

Let us take care of compliance risks, legal liabilities, and payroll issues. You can focus your energies on expanding your business operations with confidence.

Try Skuad today!

FAQs

How to hire in Brazil?

To hire employees in Brazil, businesses can either establish their local entity or partner with an Employer of Record (EOR). Setting up a local entity offers direct control over the hiring process but requires navigating Brazil's employment regulations and administrative tasks. Partnering with an EOR in Brazil simplifies the process, as they handle legal compliance with Brazil's employment laws, payroll, and other HR responsibilities.

What is the recruitment process in Brazil?

Brazil's current recruitment process demands that every employer request proof of the candidate’s education and conduct a thorough background check. All these measures help verify the employee's identity, professional qualifications, and history. 

What is the payroll tax rate in Brazil?

Employers have to withhold 7.5%-14% for social security contributions. 

What are the working hours HR rules in Brazil?

The standard workweek in Brazil is 44 hours, with a maximum of 8 hours per day. Overtime is typically compensated, and there are regulations governing extended work hours. In addition to this, employees are also entitled to paid vacation leave, usually amounting to 30 days after one year of service.