Cases and situations · 3 min read
Employees who forget to clock in: what to do
Short answer
A forgotten entry is corrected the same day, with the actual time and a note of the reason. What you should not do is leave the gap or fill it with the shift time "so it adds up".
Why it happens
Almost always when leaving: people finish, leave and do not record. In the first few days, clocking in also fails.
How to correct properly
- The person or their manager reports it the same day.
- The administrator adds the actual time with the reason.
- The record keeps who corrected and when.
How to reduce forgetting
- Daily review of who did not clock out.
- A reminder at the end of the shift.
- The QR code or tablet next to the door, not in the office.
When it is an underlying problem
If the same person forgets several times a week, you need to talk to them. A record full of corrections loses weight as evidence.
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
- Resolving each case verbally, without putting it in writing.
- Adjusting the record to match the official schedule.
- Leaving days without a record and without an explanation.
- Treating alike situations the law distinguishes.
- Learning about the problem only when a claim arrives.
What to do now
- Identify whether this case occurs in your company and how often.
- Define the rule and write it into your policy or internal regulations.
- Explain it to the team and the managers.
- Verify that the record reflects the real time.
- Review the month's cases and adjust the rule if needed.
Related terms
What is a finiquito (final settlement). The finiquito is the payment of what the company owes a person when the employment relationship ends, regardless of the cause.
Aguinaldo: how much it is and how it is calculated. The aguinaldo (year-end bonus) is an annual payment of at least 15 days of salary, which must be paid before December 20.
What is PROFEDET. PROFEDET is the Federal Labor Defense Attorney's Office (Procuraduría Federal de la Defensa del Trabajo).
Frequently asked questions
Can I penalize forgetting?
Only in line with your internal work regulations. Consult your lawyer before applying deductions.
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
- Workday as time at the company's disposal: article 58 of the LFT.
- Retention and production of attendance records: article 804 of the LFT.
- 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.