Working hours & overtime
Working-time reform (such as Mexico's 40-hour week), overtime rules and the four-day week.
24 briefs
Today · Monday 26 October
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK government publishes consultation responses on Employment Rights Act dismissal rules
The UK government has published responses to consultations on dismissal and re-engagement (fire and rehire) practices and on extending dismissal protection for pregnant employees, part of implementing the Employment Rights Act reform plan. Related reforms also address zero-hours contracts and shift pattern changes.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's 40-hour workweek reform creates digitization opportunity for SMEs
An article discusses how Mexico's gradual transition to a 40-hour workweek reform presents SMEs with an opportunity to digitize attendance, leave, and labor records to improve HR management and decision-making. Per INEGI's ENOE survey, 9.2 million subordinate workers logged more than 48 hours per week in Q2 2026.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's labor reform to phase in reduced work week starting 2027
Mexico has approved a labor reform reducing the standard work week, amending the Federal Labor Law and Constitution. The reduction will be phased in gradually starting in 2027, aiming to protect jobs and reduce burnout, benefiting over 64% of workers who currently work more than 41 hours weekly.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Argentina's statutory workweek to drop to 46 hours in 2027
Argentine media report that the statutory workweek will be reduced to 46 hours starting in 2027, raising questions about whether employers can cut pay in proportion to fewer hours worked. The report does not specify the underlying law or implementation details.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Brazil's CNI challenges supreme court over overtime pay for heat-recovery breaks
Brazil's National Confederation of Industry (CNI) filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Federal Court (STF) challenging a Superior Labor Court (TST) ruling requiring overtime pay for lack of heat-recovery breaks. CNI argues the ruling misapplies labor code provisions meant for other types of breaks, imposing costs not stipulated by law.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Spain's Supreme Court rules 15-minute break counts as paid work time for 6+ hour shifts
Spain's Supreme Court (ruling No. 691/2025, July 2, 2025) held that under Article 34.4 of the Workers' Statute, employees working more than 6 continuous hours are entitled to at least a 15-minute break, which for Cartonajes La Plana's night shift counted as paid working time per its collective agreement. The court rejected the company's appeal.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Zacatecas employers consider more hiring ahead of 40-hour work week
Employers in Zacatecas, Mexico, are reportedly evaluating increased hiring ahead of the upcoming 40-hour work week reform. The report provides no specific figures or implementation timeline.
- United States·Policy & Law
US clocks fall back Nov. 1, payroll teams must credit the extra hour
US daylight saving time ends Nov. 1, giving employees working overnight an extra hour. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay for all hours actually worked including the repeated hour, which counts toward weekly overtime for nonexempt employees and potentially daily overtime in states like California and Alaska. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14 to make DST permanent, but the Senate adjourned without acting and won't reconvene until Nov. 9, so the time change proceeds as usual.
- China·Policy & Law
Foshan labor bureau revokes rejection of injured worker's claim after 4-year delay
Worker Yang Baibao, 59, injured his leg at work in Sichuan in October 2022, but his work-injury claim was repeatedly rejected by authorities in Sichuan and later Foshan's Nanhai district over jurisdiction and filing deadlines, with courts upholding the rejections. On October 26, 2026, Nanhai district's human resources bureau revoked its rejection decision, reopening the path for his injury claim.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Spain's Workers' Statute Article 36 confirms night-shift workers have no right to overtime
Spain's Workers' Statute Article 36 defines night work as that performed between 10pm and 6am, and classifies as legal night workers those who work at least 3 hours daily or a third of their annual hours in that window. Such workers are barred from overtime except in specific urgent cases, and the law also limits their working hours and protects their health.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Brazil passes constitutional amendment ending six-day workweek, cutting hours to 40 without pay cuts
Brazil's National Congress passed Constitutional Amendment 141/2026, promulgated on October 16, 2026, ending the so-called '6x1' six-day workweek in favor of a five-day, two-day-off schedule, with the maximum workweek gradually reduced from 44 to 40 hours without pay cuts. Implementation begins December 15, potentially benefiting 26.8 million workers.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Brazil's Lula plans labor law reforms after re-election, including ending 6x1 schedule
Following his re-election on Oct. 25, Brazilian President Lula plans to push labor law (CLT) reforms, including ending the 6x1 work schedule, combating fraudulent outsourcing and disguised employment, and strengthening unions. The proposals are not finalized and will be sent to Congress for debate.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Germany clarifies when employers can reject part-time requests used to dodge shifts
German labor law analysis explains that employees can request minimal part-time reductions paired with a preferred schedule to avoid weekend shifts, which employers must generally approve absent operational reasons. It outlines when employers may reject such requests as abuse of rights and why the rejection deadline matters.
Yesterday · Sunday 25 October
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's Acuña prepares employers for phased rollout of 40-hour workweek reform
Mexico's National Employment Service (SNE) in Acuña is coordinating with business chambers and the maquiladora sector to prepare informational conferences for employers on the phased implementation of a labor reform reducing the workweek to 40 hours. Coahuila's Labor Secretariat had met with industry groups including Canacintra and Canaco.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's 40-Hour Workweek Reform to Take Effect in Less Than Three Months
Mexico's Labor Ministry stated most workers will smoothly transition to the new 40-hour workweek arrangement, with some companies implementing early. The new regulation takes effect in less than three months.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Mauritius Launches Tender to Study Reducing Work Week to 40 Hours
Mauritius launches a tender in early October to hire consultants studying feasibility of reducing weekly work hours from 45 to 40 under the 2019 Labour Rights Act—signalling major labour law reform affecting wages, productivity and conditions.
Saturday 24 October
- United States·News
UAW Members at Triumph Group Vote 99% to Authorize Strike
UAW Local 405 at Triumph Group (military aircraft engine controls) voted 99% on October 24, 2026 (148-1, 86% turnout) to authorize strikes after contract expires October 31. Demands include industry-standard wages, job security, cost-of-living protection, affordable healthcare and no concessions. Company earned $680-687 million over five years; CEO earned $61.6 million over a decade; new hires earn $25.25/hour versus $39.34 average with no cost-of-living adjustments.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Coahuila to host regional forum on Mexico's 40-hour workweek reform
Coahuila's labor authority will host a regional «2026 Labor Dialogue» forum October 29 in Torreón to brief businesses on Mexico's 40-hour workweek reform. Phased implementation requires 46-hour maximum by 2027, reaching 40 hours by 2030.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's 40-Hour Workweek Reform Sparks Fears of Layoffs and Price Hikes
Mexico's proposed 40-hour workweek reform may trigger corporate layoffs and price increases, though specific legislative timelines and implementation dates remain unclear, according to reports.
- Canada & Latin America·News
As Mexico Moves to 40-Hour Workweek by 2030, Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Defends 14-Hour Workdays
Mexico plans reducing the statutory workweek to 40 hours by 2030; meanwhile, an Indian-origin AI entrepreneur publicly advocates 14-hour workdays for competitive advantage, creating industry debate.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's private security sector adjusts shifts and tech ahead of 40-hour workweek
Mexican private security firms adjust operations for 40-hour workweek reforms. Industry association AMESP projects workforce expansion of 30–50% across the private security sector.
- Europe·Policy & Law
German Dismissal Protection Law Changes in 2026: What Employers Must Know
Anwalt.de reported German dismissal protection laws will change in 2026, alerting employers to new compliance requirements when terminating employees.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Spain's Workers' Statute confirms unlimited-age reduced hours for childcare
Spain's Workers' Statute amendment removes age limits for reduced working hours to care for seriously ill children, strengthening protections for families requiring long-term care.
Friday 23 October
- Canada & Latin America·Research
Report: Argentina lost 36,000 formal jobs since labor reform took effect
A Monitor report by Argentina's Instituto Argentina Grande finds that since Law No. 27,802 (labor modernization) took effect in March 2026, 36,000 formal private-sector jobs have been lost, bringing the cumulative total under the current administration to 241,200, with 13 consecutive months of decline. Growth was seen only in unregistered self-employment; measures like extended probation periods and 'hour banks' failed to spur formal hiring.