Support for reducing working hours has grown; in December 2024, 64% responded that they were in favor of the measure
A Datafolha survey released on Saturday (14 March 2026) indicates that 71% of respondents are in favor of ending the 6 X 1 scale. There has been growth since December 2024, when 64% declared themselves in favor of changing the working day.
2,004 people aged 16 or over were interviewed in 137 municipalities across Brazil, from March 3 to 5. The margin of error is 2 pp (percentage points), plus or minus. The confidence level is 95%.
Here are the answers to the question “In your opinion, should the maximum working hours be reduced or not?”:
- yes, it should be reduced – 71% (it was 64% in December 2024);
- should not be reduced – 27% (it was 33% in December 2024);
- don’t know – 3% (it was 3% in December 2024).
According to Datafolha, 68% of those who work 6 days or more a week support the measure. 76% of those who work up to 5 days are in favor of the reduction.
IMPACT ON COMPANIES
Asked whether ending the 6 x 1 scale would be great, good, regular, bad or terrible for companies, those interviewed responded:
- great/good – 39% (it was 35% in December 2024);
- regular – 19% (it was 19% in December 2024);
- bad/terrible – 39% (it was 42% in December 2024);
- don’t know – 3% (it was 4% in December 2024).
When asked about the impact of the end of the 6 x 1 scale on workers’ quality of life, the answers were as follows:
- great/good – 76% (it was 72% in December 2024);
- regular – 10% (it was 11% in December 2024);
- bad/terrible – 12% (it was 14% in December 2024);
- don’t know – 1% (it was 3% in December 2024).
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