Is a four-day workweek viable for Mexican talent?

The foreign reality and its benefits

Papell shares data from pilots conducted in European companies: after shifting from five to four working days per week (without cutting wages), they reported improvements in mental health, greater employee engagement, and a slight increase in productivity. Specifically, it is mentioned that those who adopted the scheme reduced absenteeism due to stress or burnout by up to 25% and increased efficiency per project by an average of 6%. These numbers are striking, especially in a global context where mental health at work has become a priority.

However, Mexico operates under the Federal Labor Law, which establishes a maximum workweek of 48 hours (translated to six days of eight hours). So far, there is no legal framework for a "four-day week" as such. How can we then take the lessons from Papell and adapt them to our reality?

Possible adaptations for Mexico

• Compressed workdays. Some Mexican tech companies already offer four days of work with ten-hour shifts. By compressing the 40 work hours into fewer days, they achieve a similar effect: employees have an extra day to rest and attend to their personal lives, while still covering the hours required by law.

• Internal pilots and clear metrics. Before implementing it on a large scale, it is worth designing a pilot in a specific department: for example, a design or marketing team. Establishing productivity KPIs (number of projects delivered, quality of deliverables, internal satisfaction surveys) will allow evaluating whether results truly maintain or improve.

• Alliances with unions and regulatory compliance. If the company is unionized, negotiating with the committee regarding extra hours or distribution of hours will be crucial. Otherwise, relying on individual contracts where the compressed work schedule is agreed upon, explicitly stating breaks and payment for extra hours if needed.

• Organizational culture and leadership development. A reduced week requires middle management to learn to prioritize tasks, delegate effectively, and avoid micromanagement. Training leaders in agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) can help focus work on concrete deliverables and avoid unnecessary meetings.

Impact on mental health and commitment

Mental health is a growing concern in Mexico. Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that anxiety-related and depression-related illnesses have increased in the last three years. Offering an additional day off could be a protective factor: more time for disconnection, greater opportunity for personal activities, and less emotional fatigue. In the long run, this translates to lower turnover and reduced costs due to absenteeism.

Moreover, employee commitment tends to improve when they perceive that the company cares about their well-being. An internal survey (conducted in 2024 by a local consulting firm) found that 72% of employees would be willing to adopt compressed workdays if it translated into an additional day off, provided it did not affect their salary or benefits.

Challenges and final thoughts

Of course, not everything is straightforward. Some areas that require continuous attention (customer service, production, security) may not easily adapt to a four-day model. In those cases, exploring shift rotations or staggering days off could ensure coverage.

It is also important to closely monitor productivity and workload. Compressing hours can lead to intense workdays that, if not managed properly, can generate fatigue and ultimately counteract the benefits. The key lies in defining clear objectives, maintaining constant communication, and adjusting processes.

Ultimately, Antonio Papell's proposal reminds us that, although our labor laws do not explicitly contemplate a "four-day workweek," there are intermediate paths to improve well-being and productivity. Taking these ideas as a starting point could be the first step toward a healthier and more competitive work environment in Mexico.

At Zen to Go, we believe that your team’s well-being goes beyond hours worked.

Therefore, we offer home massage programs, promoting mental health and performance. If you want to explore how to improve the work environment and prepare your company to experiment with innovative schemes, contact us: we are ready to help you create a wellness plan that boosts your team's commitment and efficiency.