Cases and situations · 3 min read
How to prevent someone from clocking in for another person
Short answer
It is prevented with three things: each person records from their own account, the place is confirmed when recording, and someone reviews unusual records every day.
Where it happens
In clocks with a shared card or PIN, where a coworker can clock in for another.
Measures without fingerprint or face
- Personal account on each person's phone.
- QR code that is only at the workplace.
- Location confirmed at the moment of recording.
- Review of clock-ins identical to the minute, every day.
What really deters it
That the team knows someone reviews, and that recording for someone else is a serious offense in the internal regulations.
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 the contribution base salary (SBC). The contribution base salary is the salary used to calculate IMSS contributions and INFONAVIT contributions.
Overtime: what it is. Overtime is the hours worked above the ordinary workday.
What is the payroll CFDI. The payroll CFDI is the payment receipt stamped with the SAT that the company issues for each salary payment.
Frequently asked questions
Isn't a fingerprint more secure?
It makes impersonation harder, but it processes sensitive data and the law does not require it.
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.
What happens when the STPS publishes its rules?
They will specify who the record applies to and its exceptions. It is worth checking them as soon as they appear in the Official Gazette of the Federation.
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.