The potential elimination of the 6×1 work schedule and the reduction of working hours are raising serious concerns in the healthcare sector, with estimates of up to a 10% increase in hospital operational costs.
Recent movement in the Senado Federal regarding the Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) aimed at ending the 6×1 work model and reducing weekly working hours from 44 to 40 has raised a red flag among private and public healthcare managers. The change directly impacts operations and human resources, which are essential to keeping critical units functioning seamlessly.
For institutions operating 24 hours a day, such as intensive care units, maternity wards, and emergency centers, the new shift math requires a complex logistical overhaul. AHOSP (Associação dos Hospitais do Estado de São Paulo) projects a 10% increase in hourly labor costs, driven by the need for new hires to cover days off without reducing the salaries of nursing and support staff.
Impact on the public network and outsourced contracts
The transition planned by the PEC imposes a challenging timeline for healthcare facilities. Just two months after potential enactment, the weekly work schedule will fall to 42 hours, reaching the 40-hour cap in just over a year. In practice, a medium-sized institution with a hundred employees will face a 400-hour weekly shortfall in patient care coverage, requiring immediate staff replacement.
The ripple effect of this change also reaches SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde). Social organizations managing public hospitals will urgently need to negotiate contract amendments to absorb the rising cost of outsourced labor, risking staffing shortages in vital areas. Fiesp (Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo) also voiced concern, calling for greater caution and fiscal responsibility in handling labor initiatives with high economic impact.
Readjusting hospital shift schedules is not just a payroll issue, but one of sustainability in delivering essential services to the population.
Adapting to this new labor landscape will require healthcare managers to maintain strict financial planning and invest in operational efficiency. As the legislative debate progresses, the sector is seeking alternatives to balance worker appreciation with financial stability and quality patient care.