Brazil proposes a reduction in working hours

Brazil is considering a constitutional amendment that would reduce the maximum workweek from 44 hours to 40 hours and require employers to provide two paid weekly rest days instead of a single weekly rest day. The proposal has been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and is currently under review by the Senate.

Background

On 27 May 2026, the Chamber of Deputies approved Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) 221/2019 (the “Proposal”) to reduce the maximum weekly working hours from 44 to 40 hours. The Proposal is currently under review by the Senate and is not yet in force.

The reform reflects a broader regional trend toward shorter working hours, with Chile, Colombia, and Mexico recently implementing or advancing reforms to reduce maximum weekly working hours.

Key details

Brazil's current constitutional framework generally permits employees to work up to 44 hours per week, with many employers using a “6x1” schedule, under which employees work six consecutive days followed by one day of rest.

The Proposal would reduce Brazil's maximum statutory workweek from 44 hours to 40 hours without any salary reduction. It would also effectively phase out the traditional “6x1” schedule by generally requiring employers to provide two paid weekly rest days, one of which should preferably fall on a Sunday, rather than one. The daily maximum working hours would remain unchanged at eight hours per day. The Proposal does not include changes to Brazil's existing overtime rules, under which employees may generally work up to two hours of overtime per day.

The reform would be introduced gradually. If approved, the maximum weekly working hours would first be reduced to 42 hours within two months of the amendment's publication before decreasing to 40 hours following a subsequent 12-month transition period.

Collective bargaining agreements may establish alternative scheduling arrangements, provided they ensure an average of two paid rest days per week over a calendar month, with at least one rest day being granted each week.

The Proposal would also exempt certain highly compensated employees from the rules on maximum working hours. The exemption would apply to employees holding a higher education degree and earning at least two and a half times the maximum benefit payable under the General Social Security Regime (equivalent to BRL 21,188.87 as of 1 January 2026).

Employer action: PREPARE TO ACT

If approved, the reform would represent one of the most significant changes to Brazil's labor framework in decades. The Proposal must still be approved by the Senate before becoming law. Although the legislative process is not yet complete, employers may wish to begin assessing how a shorter workweek and increased rest-day requirements could affect their business operations.

The operational impact is likely to vary significantly by industry. Employers with continuous operations, shift-based workforces or six-day scheduling models could face greater workforce planning and cost implications, while the impact may be more limited for corporate employers already operating a five-day, 40-hour workweek.

Beyond compliance, employers may also wish to consider the reform within their broader workforce and employee value proposition strategies. Shorter working hours have increasingly been linked to discussions around employee wellbeing, flexibility, and work-life balance. According to Lockton Brazil’s 2025 Benefits Survey, 73% of participating organizations operate under a hybrid working model, compared with 23% operating fully on-site. While hybrid work is distinct from statutory working-hour requirements, the data suggests that workplace flexibility is already well established among surveyed corporate employers in Brazil and may help organizations adapt to evolving employee expectations.

Written in collaboration with:

Eduardo Kolmar

Director of People Solutions, Lockton Brazil

eduardo.kolmar@lockton.com (opens a new window)

Sandra Souza

Manager, International Desk, People Solutions, Lockton Brazil

sandra.souza@lockton.com (opens a new window)

Further Information

Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) 221/2019 | Federal Senate (opens a new window)