Guatemala employment settlement calculator
Labor liquidation (liquidación laboral) is the total payment of benefits when employment ends. It can include severance (if applicable), proportional aguinaldo, proportional bono 14, unused vacation, prior notice, and pending salaries under the Labor Code (Decree 1441) and related laws.
With Q5,000 salary, start Jan 1, 2023, end Jun 30, 2025 (911 days ≈ 2 years 6 months), unjustified dismissal, and 10 unused vacation days (no prior notice), the estimated total is Q22,022.83: severance Q12,479.45 + aguinaldo Q2,890.41 + bono 14 Q4,986.30 + vacation Q1,666.67.
This tool helps before you talk to HR, an accountant, or the Ministry of Labor. It is not an official settlement and does not cover every special case (commissions, garnishments, suspensions, agreements, or lawsuits).
What does the settlement include?
| Item | When it applies | How it is estimated |
|---|---|---|
| Severance | Unjustified or constructive dismissal | Monthly salary × days worked ÷ 365 |
| Proportional aguinaldo | Almost always at termination | Salary ÷ 365 × days of the Dec–Nov period |
| Proportional bono 14 | Almost always at termination | Salary ÷ 365 × days of the Jul–Jun period |
| Unused vacation | Real pending days | Daily salary × pending days |
| Prior notice | If no advance notice was given | By seniority (Art. 83) |
| Pending salaries | Worked days not yet paid | Per payroll and cut-off date |
Main formulas
Severance = Monthly salary × (days worked ÷ 365)
Aguinaldo = Monthly salary ÷ 365 × days of the period (Dec 1 – Nov 30)
Bono 14 = Monthly salary ÷ 365 × days of the period (Jul 1 – Jun 30)
Daily salary = Monthly salary ÷ 30
Vacation = Daily salary × unused days
Resignation vs dismissal: what changes
| Type of exit | Severance | Aguinaldo / Bono 14 | Vacation | Prior notice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unjustified dismissal | Yes | Yes | Yes | May apply |
| Constructive dismissal | May apply | Yes | Yes | Case by case |
| Voluntary resignation | No | Yes | Yes | Usually no |
| Justified dismissal | Usually no | Yes | Yes | Review cause |
| Mutual agreement | Negotiable | Yes | Yes | Per agreement |
Locked example: unjustified dismissal → Q22,022.83
Default data: Q5,000 salary · started Jan 1, 2023 · left Jun 30, 2025 · 10 vacation days · with severance · no prior notice
| Item | Reference calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Severance | Q5,000 × 911 ÷ 365 | Q12,479.45 |
| Proportional aguinaldo | Q5,000 ÷ 365 × 211 | Q2,890.41 |
| Proportional bono 14 | Q5,000 ÷ 365 × 364 | Q4,986.30 |
| Vacation | Q166.67 × 10 | Q1,666.67 |
| Estimated total | Q22,022.83 |
If the same case were a resignation, severance (Q12,479.45) is removed and the total drops to Q9,543.38.
Salary ladder (same 911-day tenure)
| Monthly salary | Severance | Dismissal total (no notice, 10 vac.) | Resignation total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3,500 | Q8,735.62 | Q15,415.99 | Q6,680.37 |
| Q5,000 | Q12,479.45 | Q22,022.83 | Q9,543.38 |
| Q8,000 | Q19,967.12 | Q35,236.53 | Q15,269.41 |
| Q10,000 | Q24,958.90 | Q44,045.65 | Q19,086.75 |
Prior notice (Art. 83)
| Time worked | Reference notice |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | 1 week of salary |
| 6 months to 1 year | 2 weeks |
| More than 1 year | 1 month |
It only applies when the employer terminates without the required advance notice. At Q5,000 with more than one year of service, prior notice adds Q5,000 if enabled.
Payment deadline and checklist
The settlement must be paid when employment ends. In practice the Ministry of Labor references about 20 days. Before signing the finiquito: confirm termination type, ordinary salary, pending vacation, aguinaldo/bono 14 periods, and request an itemized breakdown.
Legal bases
- Labor Code, Decree 1441
- Decree 76-78 (aguinaldo)
- Decree 42-92 (bono 14)
- Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare
Related calculators
- Guatemala finiquito
- Severance pay (indemnización)
- Resignation vs dismissal Guatemala
- Guatemala Christmas bonus
- Guatemala vacation pay
- Guatemala net salary
Frequently asked questions
Severance (if applicable), proportional aguinaldo, bono 14, unused vacation, prior notice, and pending salaries. Default example: Q22,022.83.
One month of salary per year worked, proportional by days. At Q5,000 and 911 days: Q12,479.45 (Art. 82).
Yes for proportional benefits. No severance or prior-notice pay — total falls to about Q9,543.38 in the default example.
When the employer severely breaches the contract; the worker may treat it as dismissal and claim severance (Art. 79).
At termination; practice often references about 20 days. Request a written breakdown if unpaid.