Brazil small businesses largely unconcerned by end of 6x1 work schedule

A survey by Sebrae indicates that a majority of small business owners in Brazil do not believe the end of the 6x1 work schedule will negatively impact their companies. According to the data, 51% of respondents expect no impact, while 11% believe the change could be positive. Combined, 62% of small businesses do not foresee harm from the proposal, a shift from previous findings.

The legislative movement centers on PEC 221/2019, which proposes reducing the maximum weekly working hours from 44 to 40 and ensuring two weekly days off. Following approval by the Chamber of Deputies, the proposal has been forwarded to the Senate's Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) by Senate President Davi Alcolumbre.

While small businesses show cautious optimism, specific sectors like the fitness industry face significant operational challenges. For businesses requiring continuous service, such as gyms, the transition from a 6x1 schedule to a 40-hour week presents difficulties in maintaining service availability during peak hours without significantly increasing staff numbers or labor costs.