Workweek in Mexico: Shifts, Hours, and Current Regulations

Among the many benefits of establishing or expanding operations in Mexico, one of the most attractive is its available, skilled, and affordable workforce. Many companies seek to take advantage of the cost savings provided by Mexico's labor rates to become more competitive and agile, which is why it’s important to understand what a standard workweek looks like.

Below, we will analyze work shifts and the maximum work hours for each, rest periods, and how overtime is calculated according to Mexico's Federal Labor Law.

What are the working hours in Mexico?

According to Article 61 of the Federal Labor Law, there are three different work shifts, each with a different number of maximum hours allowed per shift:

• Day Shift: For hours worked between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The maximum number of hours per shift is 8 hours.
• Night Shift: For hours worked between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The maximum number of hours per shift is 7 hours.
• Mixed Shift: For hours worked in both the day and night shifts. However, more than 3.5 hours worked during the night shift. The maximum number of hours per-shift in this case is 7.5 hours.

It is important to note that if an employee works more than 3.5 hours in a mixed shift during the night shift, it will be considered a full night shift.

Do employers pay overtime to workers in Mexico?

Yes. According to the Federal Labor Law, when shifts exceed the maximum number of allowed hours, overtime must be paid. Employees have the right to work up to three overtime hours per shift, with a limit of three times a week (nine hours total). These hours are paid at twice the employee's normal hourly wage.

If the worker exceeds nine overtime hours in a week, any additional hours must be paid at triple the hourly wage. This reflects the value of the additional time worked, protecting employees from excessive work that may affect their well-being.

It is important to note that in certain cases and sectors, overtime may also be regulated through specific agreements or contracts.

How is salary calculated in Mexico?

Salaries in Mexico are calculated daily, not hourly. In general, the integrated daily salary is considered, which includes not only the base salary but also any other form of remuneration, such as bonuses or benefits. This salary is multiplied by the number of days worked in the month to obtain the worker’s monthly salary.

In recent years, the minimum wage by law has shown a steady increase due to inflation and government policies. This increase not only affects the minimum wage but also worker conditions and the cost of living, aiming to improve the purchasing power of the population.

It is worth mentioning that this calculation can be modified depending on individual or sectoral agreements between workers and their employers.

What holidays apply to the workweek in Mexico?

In Mexico, there are several official holidays recognized by law that should not be worked and are considered part of the workweek. Some of these holidays include:

• National Holidays: These are mandatory rest days established by the Federal Labor Law, such as January 1st (New Year’s), September 16th (Independence Day), December 25th (Christmas), and May 1st (Labor Day).
• Labor Holidays: These include holidays that fall on Mondays, such as the third Monday of February (Constitution Day) and the third Monday of November (Revolution Day).
• Other Holidays: There are also days like Day of the Dead (November 2nd) or the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12th), which, although not official holidays, are widely recognized and are often granted as non-working days.

If an employee works on these mandatory rest days, they are entitled to an additional or compensatory payment, often considered a double payment or, in some cases, triple, depending on labor agreements.