Economist Sergio Vale said the lack of an adequate transition period for ending the 6x1 work scale is a problem for the Brazilian market.
This transition affects how businesses manage staffing and operational costs. If companies cannot adapt their schedules quickly, they may face labor shortages or financial instability during the shift to new working hours.
Vale, the chief economist at MB Associados, highlighted the difficulty businesses face when forced to change operational models without sufficient time. He said, "Falta de prazo para transição é um problema" [1].
Some business owners have expressed specific concerns regarding the feasibility of the proposed timeline. Reports indicate a proposed transition period of 60 days [2]. For specialized roles, this window is viewed as insufficient for recruitment and training.
Wesley Moreira, a business owner, said, "Não está acreditando" [3]. The challenge is particularly acute for those needing specialized staff; for example, some entrepreneurs have noted the impossibility of hiring new chefs within a 60-day window [4].
The 6x1 scale, where employees work six days and have one day off, is a common structure in Brazil's service and retail sectors. Moving away from this model requires a total reconfiguration of shift rotations, and payroll management. Without a gradual phase-in, the market risks sudden disruptions in service delivery.
Industry leaders suggest that the current approach ignores the logistical reality of hiring and onboarding in a competitive labor market. The tension remains between the goal of improving worker quality of life and the practical needs of business continuity.
“"Falta de prazo para transição é um problema"”
The debate over the 6x1 work scale reflects a broader tension in Brazil between labor rights and economic viability. A 60-day window is viewed by some as a systemic shock rather than a transition, potentially leading to increased operational costs or business closures if the labor market cannot supply enough workers to fill the new shift gaps.
