Mexico Employment Guide

Mexico is in North America, bordering Guatemala, Belize (south), the US (north), the Gulf of Mexico (east) and the Pacific (west). It has ~130 million people; Spanish is official, and Mexico City is the capital. As Latin America’s 2nd largest economy, its key sectors include manufacturing (notably export-oriented), oil, mining, tourism and agriculture. Labor laws (per Ley Federal del Trabajo) protect wages, hours, leave and social security. Standard workweek: 48 hours (overtime needs extra pay). Salaries are usually monthly (avg. MXN 15,000 pre-tax). Laws cover paid leave and protect temp/contract workers, balancing interests for a fair, flexible labor market.

Check recruitment costs

Currency

Mexican Peso (MXN, $)

Capital

Mexico City

Official language

Spanish

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in Mexico

Browse the following tags to learn all about hiring employees in Mexico

Maternity Leave Regulations in Mexico

Under Mexican labor law, pregnant employees are entitled to 84 days of fully paid maternity leave. This leave must commence 40 days prior to the expected delivery date and continue uninterrupted. The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) covers 100% of the employee's average daily wage during this period.

Additionally, new mothers can request nursing breaks for up to six months following childbirth. While extensions to maternity leave are possible, such additional time would be unpaid without employer agreement.

Paternity Leave Provisions

Male employees are granted five days of fully paid paternity leave following the birth of their child. Unlike maternity benefits, employers bear full responsibility for wage payments during this period.

Extensions may be negotiated with employer consent, though extended leave would be unpaid. Companies like SailGlobal often exceed statutory requirements by offering two weeks of paid paternity leave as part of their competitive benefits package.

Parental Leave Framework

Mexico's current legislation doesn't provide for shared parental leave beyond individual maternity and paternity provisions. However, progressive multinational companies frequently implement supplemental policies to support working parents during their child's first year.

Paid Sick Leave Structure

Employees may receive paid sick leave for up to 52 weeks, with potential extensions granted by IMSS depending on medical circumstances. Payment structures vary according to leave duration:

Leave Duration	Payment Coverage	Percentage Paid
First 3 days	Employer	100%
Day 4 onward	IMSS	60% (increasing after 4 weeks)

For instance, an employee undergoing cancer treatment might receive full salary coverage through a combination of employer and IMSS payments for extended periods.

Hire easily in Mexico

Compare employee hiring costs across over 100 countries worldwide, helping you accurately calculate labor costs. Try it now

Cost Calculator

Please select the country/region you wish to recruit from, and the calculation can be done with just a few clicks.