Law and fines · 3 min read
STPS inspection: what they can ask for about working time
Short answer
The law requires providing the electronic working-time record to the authority when it asks for it. In an inspection, that means being able to hand it over per person and per period.
What to have on hand
- Each person's working-time record.
- Contracts and payroll receipts.
- Overtime payment.
- Internal regulations, if you have them.
How to respond quickly
With a system that generates the report on the spot. Reconstructing it from notebooks takes days.
What is not yet known
Whether the STPS will ask for a specific format.
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
- Assuming the obligation does not apply because you are a small business.
- Believing a device or fingerprint is required.
- Confusing the date the law took effect with the date of the STPS rules.
- Reading the 2030 caps as if they already applied.
- Trusting a provider that claims to be certified by the authority.
What to do now
- Read what article 132, section XXXIV, requires.
- Review how you record your staff's clock-in and clock-out today.
- Choose an electronic recording method.
- Agree on it in writing with each person.
- Check the STPS general rules when they are published.
Related terms
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.
Mandatory rest days in Mexico. These are the holidays set by article 74 of the Federal Labor Law.
INFONAVIT contributions: what they are. The INFONAVIT contribution is 5% of each person's contribution base salary, paid by the company.
Frequently asked questions
Does the inspection give notice?
There are ordinary inspections with prior notice and extraordinary ones without it.
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.
Is the reform already in force?
Yes. The reform to the Federal Labor Law took effect on May 1, 2026. The reduction in working hours starts on January 1, 2027.
Legal basis and sources
- Electronic working-time record: article 132, section XXXIV, of the LFT and fifth transitory provision of the decree.
- Fines: articles 992, 994 and 1002 of the LFT.
- Working hours: articles 58 to 64 of the LFT and second transitory provision of the decree.
- 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.