The impact of ending the 6x1 work schedule on wages and small businesses.

THE End of the 6x1 scale. It's been circulating in bar conversations and condominium meetings here in Sorocaba – and for good reason.

With PEC 148/2015 advancing in the Senate and gaining traction in the Chamber of Deputies, many people feel that the way they work could truly change, impacting workers' wallets and the survival of small neighborhood shops.

Continue reading our article to learn more!

Summary of Topics Covered

1. What does it mean? End of the 6x1 Scale In the context of 2026?
2. How the End of the 6x1 Scale Can it change workers' salaries?
3. What is the real impact on small businesses?
4. Why is the debate heating up right now?
5. Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean? End of the 6x1 scale. In the context of 2026?

The proposal currently under consideration – Constitutional Amendment Proposal 148/2015, already approved by the Senate's Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee – aims to eliminate the six-day work week followed by one day off, replacing it with two weekly rest days and a gradual reduction of the maximum work week from 44 to 36 hours.

It starts slowly: in the first year after approval, it maintains what already exists; in the second year, it guarantees two days off and begins cutting hours, reaching the full limit only after six years.

There's something unsettling about all of this. Many workers in retail and services – some 38 million formal employees, according to Ipea estimates – are trapped in this cycle of almost seven days a week.

The change isn't just about time off; it's about reclaiming pieces of life that work swallows up.

In post-pandemic Brazil, where burnout has become commonplace, this proposed constitutional amendment takes on almost emotional significance.

It's not just legislation; it reflects a society that, after so much forced isolation, has rediscovered the value of time outside of work hours.

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How the End of the 6x1 Scale Can it change workers' salaries?

The base salary will not decrease – the constitutional guarantee prevents a nominal reduction.

What changes is the actual hourly rate: working fewer hours for the same pay increases net earnings, opening up opportunities for negotiations regarding bonuses or productivity.

Think of Ana, a supermarket cashier nearby in Sorocaba.

With the End of the 6x1 scale.She gets two days off per week.

He uses one to take an online customer service course, improves his performance, receives praise from his manager, and ends up earning a small performance-based raise.

It's not magic; it's the extra time subtly becoming a lever for advancement.

But not everything is linear. Some companies may cut indirect benefits or limit overtime to compensate.

Ipea provided some reassuring statistics: reducing the work week to 40 hours would increase labor costs by approximately 7.84%, similar to historical minimum wage adjustments – a figure historically absorbed by the market.

Marcos, a pharmacy clerk in Belo Horizonte, sees another advantage.

Less accumulated stress means fewer errors at the checkout, more focus, and that translates into bonuses for achieving targets.

THE End of the 6x1 scale. It doesn't deliver a higher salary right away, but it plants seeds for indirect gains that accumulate.

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What is the real impact on small businesses?

Things are getting tough here. Micro and small businesses, which account for a large portion of formal jobs, are facing... End of the 6x1 scale. Like a punch in the gut.

Estimates vary: FecomercioSP speaks of an increase of up to 22% in the cost of the working hour; Ipea minimizes it to less than 1% in sectors such as commerce and industry, but warns about services that depend on continuous schedules.

A family-run bakery on the outskirts of town: the owner hires a part-time assistant to cover weekends.

Initially, it hurts the wallet, but more rested employees provide better service, sell more cheese bread, and revenue increases enough to break even.

Forced adaptation becomes forced learning.

On the other hand, sectors such as bars and restaurants may feel the strongest impact – less available workforce, costs passed on to the consumer, and the risk of increased informality.

Sebrae surveyed entrepreneurs: 47% see no negative impact, 32% fear the worst.

The division reflects different realities – those who already operate with tight margins suffer more.

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Table with approximate impact projections (based on sources such as Ipea, CNI and FecomercioSP):

Company Size	Estimated Increase in Hourly Cost (%)	Most Affected Sector	Possible Main Adaptation
Micro (up to 9 employees)	17–22%	Local retail, services	Part-time hiring, reduced hours
Small (10–49)	11–15%	Pharmacies, salons	Simple automation, collective bargaining
Average (50–249)	7–11%	Refrigeration plants, medium-sized businesses	Shift reorganization, training
Big	Less than 7%	broad industry	Absorption through scale and productivity

Why is the debate heating up right now?

2026 is an election year – the End of the 6x1 scale. It became the perfect slogan to ask for votes. The government prioritizes the post-Carnival agenda, and the Chamber of Deputies accelerates its efforts with Hugo Motta appointing a rapporteur to the Constitution and Justice Committee.

Lula and his allies see this as a direct gain for the public.

Wouldn't it be strange if fewer working hours ended up generating more consumption and economic activity, as tests in other countries suggest?

The question hangs in the air, challenging those who believe that productivity only comes from extra sweat.

An analogy that comes to mind: switching to End of the 6x1 scale. It's like replacing an old engine with a more efficient one – at first it grinds, consumes more oil, but then it runs smoother and uses less fuel.

The risk is that the mechanic (the company) won't have spare parts when you need them.

Employers are asking for payroll tax relief in return; unions are pushing for swift approval.

The timing reflects an exhausted society demanding more balance, but also a Congress sensitive to the ballot box.

End of the 6x1 scale: Frequently Asked Questions

Table with direct answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Question	Response
Will my salary decrease with a reduction in working hours?	No – the law guarantees the maintenance of the nominal value; the earnings are per hour.
Will small businesses go bankrupt en masse?	Not necessarily; Ipea sees absorption as possible with a gradual transition.
When the End of the 6x1 scale. Will it become reality?	Gradual: two days off in the year following approval, full leave in six years (PEC 148/2015).
Which sectors suffer the most?	Retail, services, and bars – all depend on continuous service.
Do workers gain more free time?	Yes, two weekly rest days and fewer total hours improve mental health.

To follow closely: Senate News about the PEC, Agência Brasil with analysis from Ipea, and Newspaper article on economic disagreements.