The End of the 6×1 Work Schedule: How to Prepare Your Company

Update on June 30, 2026: Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) 221/2019, which proposes a gradual reduction of the workweek to 36 hours over a period of up to 10 years, was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in two votes on May 27, 2026, and sent to the Senate on May 28, 2026. The change is not yet in effect and must be approved by the Senate and enacted into law to take effect.

A discussion about the end of the 6×1 schedule has gained momentum in recent years and has become one of the main topics related to Labor relations in Brazil.

The possibility of a legislative change that would reduce workers' weekly hours has raised concerns among business owners, financial managers, human resources professionals, and corporate leaders.

Although the change has not yet taken effect, the approval of the PEC 221/2019 in the House of Representatives This has made the issue more pressing for companies that rely on in-person shifts, continuous service, and work schedules spread out over the week.

For organizations that rely on in-person teams, continuous customer service, industrial production, commercial operations, or recurring services, adapting to the new situation will require advance planning.

After all, changes to work schedules can directly impact payroll costs, productivity, work schedules, hiring, and even the business’s profitability.

In this article, we’ll examine the current status of the proposal, the potential impacts of gradually reducing the workweek, and how your company can start preparing now for different scenarios.

What is the 6×1 scale, and why is it being discussed?

A 6×1 scale It is a work schedule in which an employee works for six consecutive days and has one day off.

This format is widely used in various sectors of the Brazilian economy, especially in:

• Retail trade;
• Supermarkets;
• Pharmacies;
• Industries;
• Hospitals and clinics;
• Hotels;
• Restaurants;
• Logistics companies;
• Distribution centers.

Although it is legally permitted, many occupational health experts argue that longer workdays can increase workers’ levels of stress, fatigue, and emotional exhaustion.

On the other hand, business representatives warn that abrupt changes could significantly increase companies' operating costs, especially in industries with low profit margins.

The debate seeks to strike a balance between employees' quality of life and the economic sustainability of organizations.

Currently, the main bill under consideration is PEC 221/2019. The proposal approved by the Chamber of Deputies calls for a gradual reduction of the workweek to 36 hours over the course of 10 years. This does not mean, for now, the immediate end of the 6×1 work schedule, but it does indicate a possible structural change in the way companies organize their work schedules.

What might change if the 6×1 schedule is eliminated?

With the approval of PEC 221/2019 in the Chamber of Deputies, the most significant development today is the possible gradual reduction of the workweek to 36 hours. If the bill passes in the Senate and is enacted, companies may have to revise their work schedules, time banks, overtime policies, shifts, and employment models.

In practice, this would mean that many companies would need to completely reorganize their operations. Among the main anticipated impacts are:

Need for more employees

Companies that currently operate six or seven days a week may need to expand their staff to maintain the same level of service.

• Imagine an operation that currently has 60 employees working on a 6×1 shift schedule.

If an individual's workload is reduced, it may be necessary to hire additional staff to cover the hours that will no longer be worked.

In practice, this means a direct increase in payroll.

Reorganization of the schedules

Many companies will have to redesign their journey models. It will be necessary to create new work schedules that ensure operational coverage without exceeding legal work limits.

This change will require detailed planning and appropriate people management tools.

Possible increase in labor costs

In addition to the additional hires, other financial impacts may arise related to:

• Social security contributions;
• Benefits;
• Training for new employees;
• Uniforms;
• Equipment;
• Administrative costs.

Depending on the segment, The increase in costs could be significant.

How can we calculate the potential financial impacts?

One of the biggest mistakes a company can make is to wait for a legal change to be approved before it starts doing the math.

The best-prepared organizations are already taking action financial simulations.

The first step is to map out:

• Current number of employees;
• Hours worked per team;
• Payroll costs;
• Labor costs;
• Benefits;
• Recurring overtime.

With this information, it becomes possible to develop future scenarios.

For example: A company has 100 employees with an average monthly cost of R$ 4,000.00 per employee.

If 10 new hires are needed to maintain operations after the change in work hours, the monthly impact could reach R$ 40 mil in average direct costs alone. Over the course of a year, this amount could exceed R$ 480 mil, taking into account salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, and administrative costs.

• Without proper planning, this increase could jeopardize cash flow and significantly reduce profit margins.

Therefore, the preparation of financial projections should begin as soon as possible.

How can you prepare your company starting now?

Even without a final decision on possible changes to the law, there are strategic measures that can be implemented immediately.

Map internal processes

Before you even think about hiring more people, it's essential to identify operational waste.

Many companies find that part of their current workload is associated with repetitive tasks, rework, or inefficient processes.

By eliminating bottlenecks, it becomes possible to increase productivity without proportionally increasing the workforce.

Invest in automation

A technology It can be one of the greatest allies in this process. Management systems, financial automation, data analytics, and productivity tools help reduce manual tasks and optimize resources.

Companies that automate processes tend to adapt to change much more easily.

Review productivity metrics

It's not enough to simply measure hours worked. It's necessary to evaluate the results that are actually delivered.

Many organizations are already transitioning to management models focused on performance, quality, and efficiency. This cultural shift can reduce reliance on long workdays.

Develop a financial plan

O finance department should consider different scenarios.

Recommended tests include:

• No changes to the scenario;
• Scenario with a 5% increase in payroll;
• Scenario with a 10% increase in payroll;
• Scenario with a 15% increase in payroll.

These projections help the company make decisions in advance and avoid surprises.

The Importance of Accounting in Preparing for the End of the 6×1 Schedule

Any change in working hours should not be treated solely as a labor issue.

In practice, it has financial, operational, and strategic implications that affect the entire organization.

That's why it's important to rely on the support for comprehensive accounting can make all the difference.

Accounting allows you to:

• Develop financial scenarios;
• Simulate payroll impacts;
• Assess hiring needs;
• Measure the impact on profitability;
• Identify operational bottlenecks;
• Support strategic decisions.

Companies that use data and metrics to plan their actions are able to adapt much more quickly and reliably to changes in the regulatory environment.

Conclusion

The progress of PEC 221/2019 shows that the reduction in the workweek is no longer just a distant discussion but has come to require strategic attention from companies.

Given this, mapping processes, investing in productivity, automating operations, and preparing financial projections are measures that help reduce risks and prepare the company for different scenarios.

Preparations should not begin only once the change takes effect. They should begin now, while there is still time to simulate impacts, review schedules, and safeguard the business’s profitability.

A CLM Controller Accounting It can help your company evaluate scenarios, project financial impacts, establish management controls, and develop a strategic plan to address changes in the labor market safely, efficiently, and with a long-term perspective.

To learn more and prepare your company, Talk to one of our experts!