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The 12-Hour Shift Is Allowed in Brazil Since the Labor Reform of 2017, but Only in the 12×36 Format, with Mandatory 36-Hour Rest and a Limit of 44 Weekly Hours — Very Different from the 996 Regime in China and the USA.
The debate about long shifts has returned to the center of discussions after the popularization of the 996 model, which involves working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, totaling 72 weekly hours. In China, this format has been condemned as “modern slavery” and officially banned in 2021, but it continues to be present in many technology companies. In the United States, artificial intelligence startups have resumed this practice in 2023 and 2024, pressuring employees to endure exhausting shifts of up to 12 hours a day.
In Brazil, the scenario is different. The Federal Constitution and the CLT establish a maximum shift of 44 weekly hours, with 8 hours a day as the general rule. Since the 2017 reform, there is a possibility of contracts for 12 consecutive hours of work followed by 36 hours of rest, the so-called 12×36, already used in areas such as health, security, and surveillance, and now also valid for other sectors.
How the 12-Hour Shift Works in Brazil
The 12×36 regime must be formalized in an individual or collective agreement and respect the limit of 44 weekly hours.
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It is not allowed to impose 12 hours of work every day without compensatory extended rest.
This differentiates Brazilian law from the Chinese 996 model and recent practices in the USA, which may require dedication of 60 to 72 hours a week.
This format is seen as a viable alternative in sectors that demand continuous shifts, such as hospitals and security companies.
The worker operates for a full day and has the following day off, ensuring time for physical and mental recovery.
Health Risks and Legal Limits
Occupational health specialists warn that long shifts increase the risk of exhaustion, burnout, cardiovascular diseases, and technical errors.
Health professionals, for example, may compromise patient safety if they work under extreme fatigue.
Therefore, Brazilian legislation establishes strict barriers to prevent abuses.
Companies that attempt to implement routines similar to the 996 model may face fines and legal action for violating the CLT and the Constitution.
Productivity Does Not Depend Solely on Hours Worked
While international companies associate long shifts with greater output, Brazilian researchers and economists argue that the way to increase productivity lies in qualification, technology, and innovation, not merely in extending working hours.
Studies show that beyond a certain limit, increasing hours reduces efficiency and raises costs associated with medical leave, accidents, and turnover.
Thus, the discussion about competitiveness in Brazil goes beyond working hours, also involving education and innovation policies.
The 12-hour shift is already legal in Brazil, but within a regulated model and with mandatory rest.
The country does not adopt practices such as the Chinese 996 or the overload of American startups.
The challenge, however, remains to find the balance between productivity and worker well-being.
Do you believe that the 12×36 model is a good solution or do you think it compromises long-term health? Leave your opinion in the comments — we want to hear from those who experience this in practice.
Eu acho um absurdo ainda mais quem é vendedor ou motorista etc… Em nome de Jesus não vai acontecer isso não eu creio pq na folga não é isso q acontece ninguém tem piedade de nós trabalhadores e a família como fica affs
Trabalhei 12×36 só que no dia que seria meu descanso a empresa me mandava mensagem pra cobrir folga ou atestado de outra funcionária e quando eu dizia que precisava descansar, eles respondiam, vc está ganhando mais, não é de graça
Sim. Isso acontece muito, a tal da folga trabalhada e se você se nega fica mau visto e tido como preguiçoso e que não veste a camisa sendo assim não serve para o trabalho
Eu trabalho dessa forma e quando a escala cai no feriado eles dizem e eu não tenho direito de receber.