For Human Resources · 3 min read
How to communicate the working-time record to your team
Short answer
Explain three things: that the law requires it, that it protects both sides and that it is not surveillance. Then give them a week of practice.
What people want to know
- Are they going to track me? No. Location is used only when recording.
- Are they going to deduct pay? The record also proves your overtime.
- What if I forget? It gets corrected, with a reason.
Steps
- Announcement in a meeting.
- Parallel recording for a week.
- Daily review of oversights.
- Signing the agreement.
The reform in one minute
The reform has two parts. On March 3, 2026, article 123 of the Constitution was amended to set the 40-hour workweek. On May 1, 2026, the Federal Labor Law was amended, which is where the detail is.
- The maximum working week drops from 48 to 40 hours, two hours per year, between 2027 and 2030.
- Overtime has a weekly cap: it is paid at double time up to the cap and at triple time for up to 4 more hours.
- Each company must electronically record the start and end time of each person's workday.
- Not keeping that record is fined 250 to 5,000 UMA.
- Salary and benefits cannot go down because of the reduction in hours.
What remains pending are the STPS general rules, which will define who the record applies to and what exceptions there will be. They take effect on January 1, 2027.
| Year | Maximum working hours | Double-time overtime | Triple-time overtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 48 h | 9 h | 4 h |
| 2027 | 46 h | 9 h | 4 h |
| 2028 | 44 h | 10 h | 4 h |
| 2029 | 42 h | 11 h | 4 h |
| 2030 | 40 h | 12 h | 4 h |
Decree published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on May 1, 2026, second and fourth transitory provisions, and article 68 of the LFT. Each change applies from January 1.
Common mistakes
- Implementing the record without explaining it to the team.
- Adjusting clock-ins to match the shift.
- Not having someone who reviews every day.
- Leaving out managers and remote staff.
- Measuring only tardiness and not hours worked.
What to do now
- Gather the actual hours by position.
- Present to management the effect of the 46-hour workday.
- Write or update the overtime policy.
- Choose the recording system and run a one-week trial.
- Communicate the change and sign the agreement.
Related terms
Vacation premium: how much it is and when it is paid. The vacation premium is an additional payment of at least 25% on the salary for the vacation days.
What is the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF). The Official Gazette of the Federation is the publication where federal laws, decrees and rules appear.
What is PTU, or profit sharing. PTU is the workers' share in the company's profits: 10% of the company's taxable profit, which is distributed among its staff.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do about someone without a phone?
Use a shared tablet at the entrance.
Who monitors compliance?
The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, through inspections.
Where do I find the official text?
In the Official Gazette of the Federation of May 1, 2026 and in the current version of the Federal Labor Law published by the Chamber of Deputies.
Does this replace the advice of a lawyer?
No. It is general information. For decisions about your company, consult a labor lawyer.
Does the law require a particular system?
No. It asks that the record be electronic and include the start and end time for each person.
Legal basis and sources
- Electronic working-time record: article 132, section XXXIV, of the LFT and fifth transitory provision of the decree.
- Working hours: articles 58 to 64 of the LFT and second transitory provision of the decree.
- UMA value: INEGI, published every January in the Official Gazette of the Federation.
- Decree amending the Federal Labor Law on the reduction of the working week. Official Gazette of the Federation, May 1, 2026.
- Federal Labor Law, current text. Chamber of Deputies.
How we write this content. The Sicheca team writes it from the official text of the law. When something is not yet defined by the authority, we say so. It is general information and does not replace the advice of a lawyer or an accountant.