Empregador vs. entidade patronal
When translating the word "employer" into Portuguese, you will encounter both empregador and entidade patronal. While they share the same definition, their usage differs based on geography and formality. Empregador is the universal term used in both Brazil and Portugal, but it is the primary choice in Brazil. Entidade patronal is a very formal term specific to European Portuguese (Portugal), used mostly in legal, administrative, and government contexts.
Empregador
B1This is the most direct translation of "employer". It refers to individuals, companies, or organizations that hire people. In Brazil, this is the standard legal and formal term. It is also used in Portugal, though often interchangeably with the more formal variant.
O empregador deve depositar o salário até o quinto dia útil.
(The employer must deposit the salary by the fifth business day.)
Ela decidiu processar seu antigo empregador por danos morais.
(She decided to sue her former employer for moral damages.)
No Brasil, o empregador paga uma multa se demitir sem justa causa.
(In Brazil, the employer pays a fine if they dismiss someone without just cause.)
A relação entre empregado e empregador precisa ser baseada na confiança.
(The relationship between employee and employer needs to be based on trust.)
Qualquer empregador busca proatividade nos candidatos.
(Any employer looks for proactivity in candidates.)
Entidade patronal
C1Literally translating to "patronal entity", this term is used almost exclusively in Portugal. It appears frequently in contracts, labor laws, and interactions with Social Security (Segurança Social). It emphasizes the institution or the legal body responsible for the employment rather than just a person.
A entidade patronal comunicou as alterações ao horário de trabalho.
(The employing entity communicated the changes to the work schedule.)
Em Portugal, a entidade patronal deve garantir a formação contínua.
(In Portugal, the employing entity must ensure continuous training.)
O trabalhador entregou a baixa médica à entidade patronal.
(The worker handed the medical leave note to the employing entity.)
Os sindicatos estão a negociar com a entidade patronal.
(The unions are negotiating with the employing entity.)
É responsabilidade da entidade patronal descontar os impostos.
(It is the responsibility of the employing entity to deduct taxes.)
Summary
To summarize, if you are speaking or writing for a Brazilian audience, always use empregador. If you are in Portugal, empregador is acceptable, but you will frequently see and hear entidade patronal in formal contexts, contracts, and news regarding labor unions or government regulations.