Many workers are unaware that, in addition to the base salary, they may be entitled to receive a specific supplement provided for by law. These additions exist to compensate for more demanding functions and may represent additional financial support at the end of the month.
Not all workers know, but there is a remuneration supplement provided for by the law that can add money to the salary. It is called fault allowance and is intended to compensate for functions involving specific risks, such as money handling or values. Although little spoken, it is still in force and can make a difference in monthly income.
What is the fault allowance?
According to the Diário da República, cited by News to the Minute, the fault allowance is “a supplement or remuneration attributed due to a specific particular particularity of work provision, which translates into the handling of money or value”. This means that it applies to functions such as those of porpoises, treasurers, bank workers or other professionals responsible for cash or assets of equivalent value.
The purpose is clear: compensating employees for the risks and expenses inherent to the position, as treasury operations can lead to accounting failures and losses.
Is it a salary nature?
The law stipulates, according to the same source, that the fault allowance has no, as a rule, salary nature. Only when its value exceeds the amount considered as normal or when, by virtue of the contract or labor uses, it is integrated as part of the retribution, it can be understood as compensation. This distinction is provided for in Article 260 of the Labor Code.
What is the value to receive?
In the private sector, according to the value, the value depends on collective hiring or agreements established between employers and workers. In the public administration, the amount is defined: 86.29 euros monthly, according to Ordinance No. 1553-C/2008 of 31 December. This supplement is paid only as long as the worker performs functions that justify him and through effective work.
Who is entitled?
The fundamental criterion is not the position, but the function, as the same source explains. The supplement is attributed to those who handle or keep values, cash, securities or relevant documents, being responsible for them. This covers workers from banks, commercial establishments, public and private institutions, as well as transport professionals or service stations.
What does the law on remuneration supplements say?
According to the Directorate-General for Administration and Public Employment (DGAEP), remuneration supplements are paid additions to those who perform functions in more demanding jobs. These can only be created by law and are due as long as the conditions that justify them endure. The general rule is that they are fixed to pecuniary amounts and not in a base salary percentage.
Essential information for workers
Failure allowance is a little disclosed right, but it may represent extra relevant support. Knowing the legislation and verifying whether the functions performed fit the legal criteria may be the difference between receiving only the base salary or having another monthly help provided by law.
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