Mexico 40-Hour Workweek Readiness Kit

Plan the move from a 48-hour workweek to 40 hours while protecting employee pay. Calculate the coverage gap and the staffing needed to fill it, model overtime costs, prepare employee notices and schedule-change agreements in Spanish, and track the phase-in through 2030.

Seven resources for planning and documenting the transition

A tracker for the calculations, four templates to adapt and send, a browser-based calculator, and a Start Here guide. The seven resources work together throughout the phase-in.

• Mexico 40-Hour Workweek Transition Tracker. Six tabs: an affected-roles inventory, a Coverage Gap Model that calculates the gap hours per role and the full-time equivalents needed, an Overtime Cost Model that separates projected overtime into double-time and triple-time bands and calculates weekly and annual costs, a phase-in schedule covering 2027 to 2030, and a communication and compliance log. Opens on a worked example. Works in Excel or Google Sheets.
• Transition Policy Template. An internal policy covering standard hours, the phase-in, rest days, overtime, coverage, timekeeping, schedule changes, exceptions, roles, and review. Word, editable.
• Employee Notice Template. An English notice with a full Spanish version, including the guarantee that pay and benefits will not decrease as working hours are reduced. Includes a reviewer flag. Word, editable.
• Schedule Change Agreement Template. A consent and acknowledgment in English, with a full Spanish version and a counsel-review flag in both languages. Word, editable.
• Manager Workweek FAQ and playbook. Eight questions and answers covering coverage planning, overtime and rest-day rules, plus practical guidance for managers. Word, editable.
• Mexico 40-Hour Workweek Readiness Calculator. Open in any browser to estimate each employee's reduction in hours, the full-time equivalents needed to cover the gap, and the annual cost of additional staffing or overtime.
• Start Here. A guide explaining what each piece does and the recommended order of use.

How to plan the workweek transition

Start by confirming which requirements apply, then calculate the staffing impact, prepare employee communications, and track the transition. The kit supports your planning and records. Mexican employment counsel confirms the applicable rules and reviews any change to working conditions.

• Confirm the requirements and annual target. Check how the reform applies to your operations in Mexico and select the phase-in target for the current year.
• Document affected roles and set the policy. Record each affected role in the tracker and adopt the transition policy, including standard hours, rest days, and overtime rules.
• Calculate coverage needs and overtime costs. Use the models to assess the staffing gap and overtime expense. Then send the employee notice and schedule-change agreement, with the Spanish versions reviewed by a Spanish-speaking HR or legal professional.
• Record progress and confirm the requirements. Track each phase-in step and employee communication, confirm the applicable Ley Federal del Trabajo rule before taking action, and have counsel review any change to working conditions.

Who it is built for

Built for

• An HR or operations team at a company with employees in Mexico, including manufacturing, logistics, services, or continuous operations, preparing for the 40-hour week while protecting pay.
• A people team preparing employee notices, schedule-change consent forms, and a manager FAQ in Spanish as well as English.
• A finance or operations partner calculating the coverage gap, the full-time equivalents needed, and overtime costs throughout the phase-in.

If you are looking for

• For general staffing and overtime cost calculations, the Shift Staffing Planner and the Overtime vs New Hire Planner cover workforce planning beyond the Mexico transition.
• For EU or US pay-transparency posting preparation, see the Global Employer EU Readiness Bundle and the US State Pay Transparency Pack.

Before you buy

What format are the files and what is in Spanish?

One Excel tracker, four editable Word templates, a Start Here PDF, and a calculator file that opens in any browser. The employee notice and schedule-change agreement include full Spanish versions. The tracker works in Excel or Google Sheets, and the Word and Excel files are editable.

Does the reform apply to us?

The reform applies to employers with workers in Mexico. The phased reduction begins 1 January 2027, giving employers time to prepare staffing and schedules. Mexican counsel can confirm how the requirements apply to your operations.

When do the hours change?

The reduction begins 1 January 2027 and steps down by two hours a year, reaching 40 hours by 2030. The tracker includes a phase-in schedule for planning each annual change.

Can we reduce pay along with the hours?

No. The reform holds that the reduction in weekly hours cannot reduce wages or benefits, and the employee notice template states that guarantee. The cost the pack models is the cost of covering the gap, not a saving from shorter hours.

How does the overtime model work?

The Overtime Cost Model splits projected weekly overtime into a double-time band and a triple-time band and returns the weekly and annual cost. The exact overtime treatment is set by law and is part of what is still being clarified, so confirm the current rule with counsel.

What if the rules change after I buy?

The reform is recent and the electronic-timekeeping rules from the labor ministry are still pending, so each file shows its review date and the Start Here tells you to confirm the current Ley Federal del Trabajo before you act.

What is the refund policy?

Digital products are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. To request a refund, email support@truestephr.com or reply to your receipt within 30 days of purchase.

What happens after I buy?

Your download link appears immediately after checkout. Your receipt arrives by email with the same link. Open the Start Here page first for the recommended order. For setup questions, email support@truestephr.com.

How the download works

Your files arrive as a single ZIP download, best opened on a computer. Save it, extract it (right-click and select Extract All on Windows, or double-click on a Mac), then open the Start Here file first. PDFs open in any reader, and editable files work in Microsoft Word and Excel or free equivalents, including LibreOffice, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. No other software is needed. Step-by-step help for every device is at truestephr.com/pages/download-help.

Scope

These working tools and editable templates help you run a clear, consistent, and defensible HR process. Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time, so adapt each template to the facts of your situation to avoid unintended legal exposure. Have qualified counsel review your policies, notices, and individual decisions against applicable law before you act. General HR information, not legal advice.