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Pharmacies, supermarkets, and clothing stores have already adopted the 5×2 schedule in Brazil without waiting for Congress to decide. Drogarias Pacheco, São Paulo, H&M, Pague Menos, and Grupo Supernosso implemented two days of weekly time off for their employees. A study by 4 Day Week with FGV showed that 72% of the companies that tested reduced work hours had an increase in revenue.
While the National Congress is still debating whether or not to end the 6×1 schedule, large Brazilian companies have already made the decision on their own. The 5×2 schedule, which guarantees two consecutive days of rest per week, is being adopted by pharmacy chains, supermarkets, and clothing stores that did not want to wait for the approval of a law to improve their employees’ working conditions. Grupo DPSP, responsible for Drogarias Pacheco and Drogaria São Paulo, implemented the 5×2 schedule in all its units since August, benefiting about 24,000 of the 30,000 workers in the group. The Swedish multinational H&M, the supermarket chain Pague Menos, and Grupo Supernosso are following the same path.
The argument of the companies that adopted the 5×2 schedule is supported by data. A study by the organization 4 Day Week with 19 Brazilian companies, conducted in partnership with FGV in 2024, showed that 72% of participants had an increase in revenue after a year under reduced hours. About 79% of employees reported feeling good-humored during the experiment, with a 58.2% reduction in emotional exhaustion at work. The numbers indicate that giving more rest is not a cost, it is an investment, and the companies that took the lead are reaping the results while Congress debates.
Which companies have already adopted the 5×2 schedule in Brazil
According to information released by the portal ndmais, the transition to the 5×2 schedule has already begun in sectors that traditionally operate with the 6×1 schedule, such as retail and commerce. Drogarias Pacheco and Drogaria São Paulo were pioneers in implementing the change in all units of Grupo DPSP, except for stores that do not operate on Sundays. CEO Marcos Colares explained that “the change brings more balance and well-being to the lives of our employees, allowing for greater consecutive rest time,” and that the positive impact on physical and mental health reflects in the quality of service.
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H&M, the Swedish fashion giant that arrived in Brazil in August 2025, adopted the 5×2 schedule from the beginning of its operations in the country. The decision was motivated by the pursuit of “quality of life” and the intention to equalize conditions between store employees and administrative areas, according to CEO Joaquim Pereira. The supermarket chain Pague Menos, present in 21 cities in the interior of São Paulo, announced that it will expand the 5×2 schedule starting in 2026. The Supernosso Group started a pilot project in March aimed at “reducing the emotional and physical burden” on employees.
What changes for the worker in the 5×2 schedule compared to the 6×1
The difference between the 5×2 and 6×1 schedules may seem small on paper, but it is transformative in practice. In the 6×1 schedule, the worker has only one day off per week, which means they work six consecutive days before resting one, a pace that accumulates physical and emotional fatigue over months. In the 5×2 schedule, there are two consecutive days off, enough time for the body to recover and the mind to disconnect from work pressures.
Data from the 4 Day Week study and FGV confirm the workers’ perception. The 58.2% reduction in emotional exhaustion reported by participants is not an abstract number: it means less burnout, fewer absences due to mental health issues, and less turnover, three problems that cost billions to Brazilian companies every year. For the 24,000 employees of the DPSP Group who switched to the 5×2 schedule, the change is concrete: more time with family, more willingness to work, and less resentment towards the employer.
What Congress is doing about the end of the 6×1 schedule
While companies already operate on the 5×2 schedule, Congress is moving at its own pace. On Tuesday (14), the Lula government sent a bill to reduce the weekly workload from 44 to 40 hours, ensuring two days of paid rest without salary reduction. There are also two PECs on the subject in the Chamber: one presented by Deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP) in 2025 and another by Deputy Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG) in 2019, which have been combined to proceed together.
The legislative process can take months or years, and the outcome is uncertain. For companies that have already adopted the 5×2 schedule, the law will only formalize what they already practice. For millions of workers in commerce and retail who still operate on the 6×1 schedule, the approval of a law would be the only way to guarantee two days off, as their employers show no intention of changing voluntarily. The difference between the worker at Drogaria Pacheco and that of the competing pharmacy is that the former already enjoys the 5×2 schedule while the latter waits for Congress to decide.
What CEOs say about the costs of the 5×2 schedule
The main argument against the 5×2 schedule is that it increases operational costs by requiring more hires to cover shifts. Joaquim Pereira, CEO of H&M in Brazil, acknowledges the concern but believes that “the gains in engagement, satisfaction, and productivity translate into a positive return for both the team and the customer experience”, meaning the additional cost of hiring more people is offset by the increased productivity and lower turnover of existing employees.
The Supernosso Group opted for a different approach. The supermarket chain maintained the 44-hour weekly workload as stipulated by law, but distributed these hours over five days instead of six. In practice, employees at the pilot units began to work 8h48 per day, instead of 7h20 on the 6×1 schedule. This solution allows for the 5×2 schedule without the need for additional hires, although it makes each workday longer. For workers, exchanging an extra day off for longer daily shifts has been positively accepted.
Why the 5×2 schedule may become standard in Brazil
The trend is clear: companies that adopt the 5×2 schedule report positive results, and legislation is moving towards making the change mandatory. If the Lula government’s bill is approved, the 40-hour weekly work schedule with two days off will become the legal standard, and companies that already operate under this model will have a competitive advantage for having already made the transition. Those that resist will need to adapt under pressure, possibly incurring higher costs.
For Brazilian workers, the 5×2 schedule represents more than just two days off. It is the difference between a work model that consumes personal life and a model that recognizes that rest is productivity, not waste. Pharmacies, supermarkets, and stores that have taken the lead have already proven that the model works. Now it remains to be seen if Congress will achieve what the market has already decided.
Large pharmacy and supermarket chains are already adopting the 5×2 schedule before Congress decides. Do you work on a 6×1 schedule? How does it affect your life? Should your company change? Leave your opinion in the comments.
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