The work routine could change forever with the bill proposed by Congresswoman Erika Hilton, who wants to end the 6x1 work shift and give Brazilian workers a new chance to balance their professional and personal lives.
O physical and mental exhaustion has been an increasingly present reality in the daily lives of Brazilian workers, who deal with long days and little rest.
A survey of the International Stress Management Association (Isma-BR) revealed that Brazil occupies the second place in the global ranking of burnout cases, a condition linked to excess day and psychological exhaustion.
It is therefore not surprising that the workload reduction is the subject of intense debates in the National Congress and on social media.
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Recently, the Federal Deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP) presented a Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) with the aim of reviewing the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT).
The proposal aims to reduction of working hours and, mainly, the end of scale 6×1, which currently establishes that the worker has only one day of rest after six consecutive days of work.
This model is common in sectors such as commerce, restaurants and telemarketing, where service demands are uninterrupted.
Understand the 6×1 model
A 6×1 scale allows companies to organize employees' working hours into up to six days of work and one day of rest, totaling a working day of up to 44 hours a week.
Although the CLT defines the daily work limit as eight hours, many professionals have to give up weekends and, in some cases, work seven days in a row.
Regarding breaks, the law requires that workers have breaks of at least 15 minutes for journeys between four and six hours, and one to two hours for journeys longer than six hours.
The model has been highlighted by unions and social movements as one of the causes of chronic exhaustion between workers.
The PEC and the Life Beyond Work Movement (VAT)
Erika Hilton's initiative has the support of Life Beyond Work (VAT) Movement, lead by Rick Azevedo, a worker who gained notoriety by sharing on TikTok his fatigue with his work routine.
From the online support, Rick launched the petition “For a Brazil that Goes Beyond Work,” which already has thousands of signatures.
The idea of VAT is to propose a four days of work and three days off, based on the model 4 Day Week Global, which defends the maintenance of full salary for 80% of the time worked.
According to the organizers, the aim of the petition is to balance workers' professional and personal lives.
Is the 4×3 scale viable for Brazil?
VAT is not the only group advocating for reduction of working hours.
Various movements, including the Anti-trampo and Tang Ping, have gained popularity in Brazil and abroad.
However, the adaptation challenges for a 4×3 model are significant, especially in essential sectors such as health and safety, where operations cannot be interrupted.
Companies and experts highlight that the reduction of working days could imply extra costs, increased workforce and operational adjustments, especially in areas with high demand for services.
The debate on how to implement this transition effectively, without sacrificing productivity, is one of the main points of discussion.
Movements inspired by the pandemic
A Covid-19 pandemic triggered a series of movements that question the current working model.
The Forum Anti-trampo, for example, brought together thousands of workers dissatisfied with abusive conditions and inspired actions such as the “quiet quitting” (silent dismissal), where employees began to perform the minimum required to preserve their mental health.
Another example is the “Lazy Job” or “Lazy Work,” in which young people choose to more flexible and less stressful jobs, aiming for a balance between work and personal life.
What do authorities say about the work schedule?
O Minister of Labor, Luiz Marinho, expressed support for the debate on working hours, stating that It will be up to the National Congress to decide on the proposal.
In a hearing in the Senate, he reinforced that Parliament needs to reflect on the ideal moment to review the current regulations.
However, he highlighted that a change of this magnitude requires broad participation and that the impact on different sectors must be carefully considered.
Challenges and expectations for the future of work in Brazil
Despite the difficulties, the pressure for a reform of the working day It is a reality that has gained strength in recent years.
Movements like VAT continue to push for change, and society remains divided on how to balance the needs of employers and the rights of workers.
Erika Hilton's proposal, along with popular pressure and support from social movements, could be the beginning of a silent revolution in the country's labor laws.
What do you think about the end of the 6×1 scale? Do you believe that the 4×3 model could be the solution to improve workers’ quality of life? Leave your opinion in the comments and participate in this debate!