Introduction
While Mexico formally discusses reducing the workweek to 40 hours, millions of people are living under a different unwritten rule: always being available for work. The issue isn’t just about the number of hours but the hyperconnectivity driven by digital technology.
The Digital Hyperconnectivity Dilemma
A recent analysis by Microsoft’s Worklab reveals that 40% of workers check their email as early as 6 a.m., and one-third remain active past 9 p.m. The concept of disconnecting has become a luxury, not due to contractual obligations, but because the culture of “always connected” has become normalized.
- Platforms: Teams, Slack, WhatsApp, Monday, Google Calendar all contribute to a full-time work schedule; the algorithm never rests.
- Interruptions: On average, workers receive 275 daily interruptions during their “normal” work hours—one every two minutes, if they’re lucky.
- Corporate World: This dynamic is particularly prevalent in the corporate world, where employees theoretically work 40 hours a week as the reform aims, but in practice, it’s experienced as an unending cycle of connection.
These data points from Worklab demonstrate that contracted hours do not protect against this digital extension of work.
The Need for Boundaries
As the Mexican government, business leaders, unions, academics, and international organizations deliberate on returning free time to people through the STPS forums, it’s crucial to acknowledge that we already coexist with a more powerful, invisible, and extended digital workday.
Although reducing the workweek is necessary, without establishing real limits on constant connectivity, it would be like regulating traffic without addressing taxis and app-based transportation services.
Countries like France, Argentina, and Spain have made progress in discussing the right to digital disconnection. In Mexico, this conversation is only beginning. The 2021 telework reform acknowledges this right on paper, but it hasn’t permeated corporate culture, and many companies still penalize employees for not responding to messages outside of work hours.
The silver lining is that we can still change course. A labor reform should not merely count hours but restore the value of time, as rest is an integral part of work. Without it, productivity and well-being cannot flourish.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the main topic of discussion? A: The debate over reducing the workweek to 40 hours in Mexico, while many workers face an “infinite workday” due to digital hyperconnectivity.
- Q: Who is involved in the workweek discussion? A: The Mexican government, business leaders, unions, academics, and international organizations are participating in forums organized by the Secretaría del Trabajo.
- Q: What is the digital hyperconnectivity issue? A: Workers are constantly connected through various digital platforms, leading to an “infinite workday” characterized by numerous interruptions and extended work hours.
- Q: How do other countries address digital disconnection? A: Countries like France, Argentina, and Spain have made progress in discussing the right to digital disconnection.
- Q: What is the significance of rest in the work context? A: Rest is essential for productivity and well-being, and a labor reform should prioritize restoring the value of time.
