Did you know that 55% of companies in Mexico already dance to the rhythm of hybrid work? That's right, according to a Microsoft study, half of Mexican companies combine office and home.
But this labor paradise, previously with legal loopholes, begins to be formalized. As of December 2023, NOM-37 is the best conductor to regulate health and safety conditions in the workplace for teleworking, home-office and/or hybrid work. A big step for Mexico!
Now every coin has two sides, here we will analyze some general key points and how it benefits (and can harm) future companies and collaborators. Let's see:
1. What does NOM-037 oblige you to do?
Don't worry, it doesn't mean that everyone in Mexico will telework. The standard focuses on establishing health and safety conditions for those who already telework, regardless of frequency. But be careful! NOM-037 can be an argument for workers to request a flexible work scheme with Home Office, as the standard recognizes that this can be a safe and healthy method, as long as the appropriate measures are implemented.
2. Who must comply with NOM-037?
It is mandatory for all work centers with teleworkers who work more than 40% of their time under this modality. It does not modify the general working conditions (salary, working hours, vacations), but non-compliance may be sanctioned by the Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social (STPS).
3. What does NOM-37 offer you?
For you, as a company:
Clear guidance: Establish health and safety conditions for your teleworking employees.
Flexibility: You can use it as a basis to offer flexible work schemes such as Home Office.
Competitiveness: Helps you improve the work environment, satisfaction and performance of your employees.
For your collaborators:
Safety: Protects your physical and mental health when working remotely.
Balance: Promotes work-family balance.
Autonomy: Allows them to adapt their workspace to their needs.
4. What should you do now with the new 037 regulation?
As a company:
Training: Offers training on ergonomic risks, active breaks and healthy habits.
Equipment: Provide your employees with the necessary equipment to work (ergonomic furniture, computer, software, internet).
Ergonomics: Ensures an ergonomic workspace at home.
Life insurance: Take out life insurance for your employees who telework.
Internet and electricity payment: Reimburse your employees for internet and electricity expenses related to their work.
Risk assessment: Conduct a psychosocial and ergonomic risk assessment of the home workspace.
As a collaborator:
Training: Attends training on ergonomic risks, active breaks, etc.
Care of equipment: Use and care for the equipment provided by the company in a responsible manner.
Ergonomics: Adapt your home workspace to be ergonomic.
Active breaks: Take active breaks every 30-60 minutes to avoid physical and mental fatigue.
Communication: Inform the company of any changes in your health situation or in the conditions of your workspace.
Report accidents: Report to the company any work-related accident or illness you suffer.
Here are 5 keys to adapt your office to the new regulations in Mexico
To adapt your office to hybrid work or telework to this new regulation, we recommend you to take into account the following keys:
1. Review the employment contract of employees who join hybrid work or telework and modify it as established in the new home-office standard with the consent of both parties.
2. Analyze and organize the rotation and workflow of employees who alternate between office and telecommuting, establishing a calendar, schedule, tasks and clear and measurable objectives.
3. Make a program to comply, supervise and guarantee the implementation of the necessary new equipment, such as computer, chair, desk, internet connection...and assuming the costs derived from its use.
4. Improve communication with employees who work remotely or in a hybrid way, using digital tools that facilitate interaction, feedback, recognition and sense of belonging.
5. Invest in technology that enables remote access to company resources and information, as well as data protection and IT security.
The future of work in Mexico Back to the office or hybrid work?
NOM-037 in Mexico seeks a balance between worker safety and company flexibility. However, the reality is complex. On the one hand, many companies are not yet ready to implement NOM-037.
Investment in infrastructure, technology and training can be a challenge. In addition, there is an ingrained culture of face-to-face work in many companies. Returning to the office is seen as a way to maintain control and productivity. On the other hand, workers have experienced the benefits of teleworking: flexibility, better work-life balance, savings in time and money that are hard to forget.
We are therefore likely to see a hybrid scenario:
- Some companies will opt for a gradual return to the office.
- Others will implement a permanent hybrid work model.
- Teleworking will consolidate as a viable option for many people.
Are you and your organization overwhelmed by the new pace of hybrid work?The Corporate Experience platform is with you in this challenge!
Corporate experience is the software with the best local support and interface in the Latin American market that helps you:
1. Manage hybrid workdays efficiently:
- Plan, record and analyze the occupation and time of your employees in the office, based on historical data and updated in real time.
- Identifies areas of high and low demand, optimizing the use of space and investment in square meters.
2. Make strategic decisions based on data:
- Gain valuable insights into the productivity and usage habits of your workspaces.
- Measure the efficiency of your Workplace strategy and make informed decisions to optimize resources and effort.
3. Implement and manage change successfully:
- Facilitates communication, collaboration and tracking of the day with intuitive tools.
- It has the support of a team of specialists in 8 countries with experience in serving more than 60 companies in Latin America.
4. Save and optimize resources:
- Align your company with the new regulations and define an efficient hybrid scheme that allows you to reduce costs.
- Optimize the use of space, making the most of every square meter you pay for.
