Law and fines · 3 min read
Electronic working-time record: what it is and what the law requires
Short answer
It is each company's obligation to record, by electronic means, the start and end time of each worker's workday, and to hand that record to the authority when it asks for it. It is in article 132, section XXXIV, of the Federal Labor Law.
Where it comes from
The obligation was added to the law by the decree published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on May 1, 2026, the same one that reduces the workday to 40 hours.
What exactly it requires
- That the record is electronic.
- That it is kept for each worker.
- That it includes the start and end time of the workday.
- That you can hand it over to the authority when it asks for it.
What it does not require
It does not require a device, fingerprint or a particular system brand. There is also no official certification.
| Violation | Fine | In pesos, 2026 UMA |
|---|---|---|
| Not keeping the electronic working-time record | 250 to 5,000 UMA | $29,327.50 to $586,550 |
| Not respecting the daily workday or the rest day | 50 to 250 UMA | $5,865.50 to $29,327.50 |
Article 994, sections IV Bis and I, of the LFT. 2026 UMA: $117.31 per day.
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 the UMA is and how much it is worth. The UMA is the Unit of Measure and Update (Unidad de Medida y Actualización): the peso reference for calculating fines, contributions and procedures.
Night shift: schedule and maximum length. The night shift is the one worked between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
What is NOM-037 on telework. NOM-037 sets the safety and health conditions for telework.
Frequently asked questions
Since when does it apply?
The obligation has been in the law since May 1, 2026. The STPS rules that define who it applies to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Does a phone app work?
Yes. The law requires the record to be electronic and does not limit the technology.
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.
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.
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.