In the workplace, time is an invaluable resource. Workdays not only dictate our daily routines but also shape the quality of our lives. In this first part of our exploration into workdays, we will delve into how time is structured in the workplace, from established norms to the duration of work hours.
To begin, it is necessary to explain that the Federal Labor Law establishes the “workday” as the time during which the worker is at the disposal of the employer to perform their duties.
According to the provisions of Mexico’s Federal Labor Law, the following is indicated:
Article 59
The worker and the employer will establish the duration of the workday, without exceeding legal maximums. Workers and employers may distribute working hours to allow for rest on Saturday afternoon or any equivalent arrangement.
Article 60
- The daytime workday is between six and twenty hours.
- The nighttime workday is between twenty and six hours.
- The mixed workday includes periods of both daytime and nighttime, provided that the nighttime period is less than three and a half hours, as if it comprises three and a half or more, it will be considered a nighttime workday.1
Article 61
The maximum duration of the workday will be: eight hours for the daytime, seven for the nighttime, and seven and a half for the mixed.
The law regulates three workday types and sets a limit for each, as seen in the following table:
| Type of Workday | Period of time that encompasses the workday | Maximum duration of the workday |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime | The period between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm | Eight hours |
| Nighttime | The period between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am | Seven hours |
| Mixed | Encompasses periods of both daytime and nighttime, provided that the nighttime period is less than three and a half hours. If it comprises three and a half or more hours, it will be considered a nighttime workday. | Seven and a half hours |
The Federal Labor Law includes other rules related to the workday, described below:
- The worker and the employer will determine the duration of the workday, not exceeding the legal maximums specified in the above table.
- Workers and employers can distribute working hours to allow the worker rest on Saturday afternoon or any equivalent arrangement.
- During continuous work, the worker will be granted a break of at least half an hour.
- When the worker cannot leave the place of service during rest or meal hours, the corresponding time will be counted as effective work hours.
In cases of disaster or imminent danger where the life of the worker, their colleagues, or the employer is at risk, or the very existence of the company is in jeopardy, the workday may be extended for the strictly necessary time to prevent these circumstances; payment for these hours will be equal to the corresponding amount for each hour of the workday.
In this first stage of our journey through workdays, we’ve covered the legal foundations from standard workdays to risk scenarios, shedding light on how companies structure their employees’ time. But our journey is far from over. I invite you to take a moment to rest, reflect on what you’ve learned, and prepare for the second part, where we will delve even deeper into the complexities and strategies for effectively balancing work and life.
“Time is money, and at work, we learn to value it as the most precious treasure.”
Anonymous
