Download the Final Settlement Template (Word)
Free and editable, with the full settlement table (pending salary, severance, aguinaldo, Bono 14, vacation) and the Article 12 legal notice that protects the employee:
Final Settlement (Finiquito) Template — Guatemala 2026
⬇ Download Word template (.docx)Editable format · Works with Microsoft Word, Google Docs and LibreOffice
What You’re Owed, by How the Job Ended
| Item | Resignation | Unjustified dismissal | Justified dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pending salary | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Unused vacation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Proportional aguinaldo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Proportional Bono 14 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Severance (Art. 82) | ❌ No* | ✅ Yes — 1 month per year | ❌ No |
| Back wages (salarios caídos) | ❌ No | ✅ If litigated and won | ❌ No |
*Unless a company policy or agreement grants it. The first four rows are non-waivable — they’re paid no matter what.
Verify Every Line BEFORE Signing
Each settlement line has a calculator on this site:
- Unused vacation → vacation calculator (15 working days per year, Art. 130)
- Proportional Bono 14 → Bono 14 calculator (July-June period)
- Severance (unjustified dismissal only) → average monthly salary × years served (Art. 82)
- Pending salary → unpaid days of the current month + pending overtime
If a number doesn’t match, don’t sign yet — ask for the calculation in writing. That’s your right.
Signing Does NOT Waive Your Rights
The most common misconception: that signing “closes everything.” Article 12 of the Labor Code says the opposite — labor rights are non-waivable. The finiquito proves what they paid you; it doesn’t erase what they owe you. If you later discover a miscalculation:
- Labor Inspectorate (MINTRAB) — free complaint, hotline 1539
- Labor court — ordinary labor lawsuit; USAC’s free legal clinics also take labor cases
Mind the clock: several labor claims expire fast (30 business days in various scenarios). If something’s off, act the same month.
Related Guides
- Resignation Letter: Word Template — the step before, if you’re the one leaving
- How to Resign in Guatemala — notice periods and process
- Employment Reference Letter — the certificate they must give you (Art. 87)
- Bono 14 Calculator — verify your July bonus line
- Employment Contract Template — for the next job
General guidance on Guatemalan labor law. For large settlements, variable salaries or disputes, consult a labor lawyer before signing.