The work schedule is a topic that gained significant attention last year, being one of the most discussed subjects. It determines the hours, days, and shifts that the employee must fulfill throughout the week, based on the company’s needs and legal conditions. In 2024, one of the most searched terms on Google, according to the platform’s survey, was ‘What is a 6×1 schedule?’
This type of schedule is characterized by six consecutive working days followed by one day off. The workweek must respect the limit of 44 hours per week, and 8 hours per day. The model is quite common in sectors such as telemarketing, where legislation requires employees not to exceed 6 hours of work per day.
“The 6×1 schedule originated in the 1940s. Last year, a Proposed Constitutional Amendment suggested eliminating this schedule. The initial text proposes a limit of 36 working hours per week,” explains Eduardo Calixto, a lawyer specialized in labor law. He emphasizes that flexibility in work schedules varies according to each company’s needs.
Although companies have the freedom to define their schedules, they must follow the rules of the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) and the collective agreements established by unions. In the case of the 6×1 schedule, there is a requirement that the employer must ensure the employee has at least one Sunday off every seven working days, respecting the right to weekly rest.
Another common work schedule model in Brazil is the 5×2, where the worker has two consecutive days off during the week. In this modality, the workday is typically 8 hours daily, from Monday to Friday, with weekends free, which is considered ideal for many areas that do not require continuous operation.
According to Calixto, “The 6×1 schedule must be negotiated based on the needs of both the employer and the employee, ensuring compliance with labor rights and avoiding overload for workers.”
The choice of the ideal schedule for each company involves a series of factors, from current legislation to the conditions of the specific job. Besides the 6×1, models such as the 12×36 are also common and have been adapted to CLT regulations, as long as the right to adequate rest and hour compensation is respected.
