Fewer Hours, More Productivity: What Changes Do Mexican Companies Need?

The transformation of the Mexican labor market presents both a challenge and an opportunity for companies seeking to strengthen their productivity, develop talent, and adopt new technologies. During the Human Capital Forum Talent Meetpoint: Workforce Outlook 2026, organized by AMCHAM Mexico, Northeast Chapter, specialists and business leaders analyzed the changes that will shape the new way of working in Mexico. The event brought together perspectives on topics such as the reduction of the workday, operational efficiency, automation, and the incorporation of new profiles into the labor market.

Participants agreed that companies require a comprehensive vision that combines technology, leadership, training, and new work organization strategies.

Productivity: The New Challenge Amidst Shorter Work Hours

One of the main challenges identified during the forum was the need to produce more in fewer hours. In response to regulatory changes and new labor conditions, companies are beginning to review internal processes, promote continuous improvement programs, and accelerate automation projects.

During the meeting, Carlos Ramos, CEO of Viakable, highlighted the importance of establishing clear productivity objectives. As a benchmark, he pointed to targets of up to 25% improvement in efficiency to face higher operational costs without directly passing them on to consumers. Similarly, Gerardo Meza, President of the Human Capital and Labor Affairs Committee of AMCHAM Mexico, Northeast Chapter, noted that organizations must move towards models centered on productivity, compliance, and labor well-being. https://www.liderempresarial.com/empleo-formal-indicador-momento-economico-mexico-2026/

How Can Companies Incorporate More Female Talent?

Another central theme was the participation of women in the labor market. During the event, it was highlighted that approximately 26 to 27 million women are outside the labor market due to various personal, family, or social factors. Of this group, around 1.8 million consistently express a desire to work but face conditions that hinder their incorporation.

In this scenario, Sofía Ramírez Aguilar, General Director of the Economic Observatory Mexico, explained that companies need to create labor conditions with greater predictability. The specialist pointed out that flexible schemes must be accompanied by greater family co-responsibility and more active participation by men in caregiving tasks. Additionally, AMCHAM Mexico emphasized that predictable hours, hybrid schemes, and childcare alternatives can broaden female participation and foster their development within organizations.

Informality and the Challenge of Generating Quality Jobs

Furthermore, the forum addressed the challenge of labor informality in Mexico. According to data shared during the event, approximately 55% of the population works in the informal sector, a situation that limits access to financing, supply chains, and better working conditions.

In this context, specialists indicated that companies must promote mechanisms that enable formalization and the growth of new businesses. Moreover, the integration of more companies into the formal economy can expand the availability of talent and strengthen the country’s competitiveness. https://www.liderempresarial.com/nuevo-leon-suma-55-mil-empleos-en-un-ano-asi-cambia-su-mercado-laboral-en-2026/

Artificial Intelligence and Automation Transform Work

Technology also occupied a significant space in the conversation. Automation and artificial intelligence are modifying how organizations operate, although specialists noted that their implementation requires more than just acquiring digital tools. Companies need to redesign processes, train teams, and prepare leaders capable of managing new work models.

In this regard, Marcelo Hernández, People Lead and Labor Relations at Mondelēz International, Nuevo León, highlighted that automation can reduce risks and costs, in addition to opening development opportunities for employees.

A New Labor Model for Mexican Companies

Finally, the AMCHAM Mexico, Northeast Chapter’s Talent Meetpoint Workforce Outlook 2026 Forum posited that the future of work will depend on organizations’ ability to adapt to regulatory, technological, and demographic changes. The conversation did not solely focus on reducing the workday but on how companies can elevate their productivity, integrate available talent, and prepare for new forms of work. With this, the challenge for organizations will be to build more efficient, inclusive models prepared to compete in a constantly evolving economic environment.