Law and fines · 3 min read
Confidential employees: do they also record their working time?
Short answer
The law does not exclude confidential (trusted) staff from the electronic record. If there will be exceptions, the STPS will define them.
What applies today
Confidential (trusted) employees have a maximum workday and a right to overtime like anyone else.
Why it makes sense to record them
Overtime claims from managers tend to be the most expensive, because of their salary.
How to do it without friction
Recording from the phone, with a flexible shift.
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 are the internal work regulations. The internal work regulations are the document with the mandatory rules inside the company: schedules, breaks, pay days and disciplinary measures.
What is the seventh day (séptimo día). The seventh day is the paid rest day, at full salary, that every person is entitled to for every six days worked.
What is REPSE. REPSE is the STPS registry required of every company that provides specialized services or work to another company with its own staff.
Frequently asked questions
What about chief executives?
It depends on whether they have an employment relationship. Review the case with your attorney.
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.
Who monitors compliance?
The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, through inspections.
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.