The government is considering reintroducing the “possibility of a continuous workday” to allow parents to leave work earlier and spend more time with their children, announced the Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security on Friday.
“The continuous workday involves uninterrupted work, except for a rest period not exceeding thirty minutes, and is considered working time,” according to the General Law of Public Function Work. According to the law, the continuous workday should predominantly occupy one period of the day and result in a reduction of the normal daily work period by no more than an hour. Additionally, the maximum continuous working time in such a setup cannot exceed five hours.
The legislation also states that the continuous workday may be adopted in specific cases outlined in the law and in exceptional, duly justified situations, such as:
- A working parent with children up to 12 years old or, regardless of age, with a disability or chronic illness;
- An adopting worker, under the same conditions as biological parents;
- A worker who, replacing the parents, is responsible for a grandchild under 12 years old;
- An adopting worker, guardian, or person entrusted judicially or administratively with the care of a minor, as well as the spouse or person in a de facto union with any of those or with a parent, provided they live in a shared household with the minor;
- A student worker;
- In the worker’s interest, whenever other relevant circumstances, duly justified, warrant it;
- In the service’s interest, when duly justified.
“We will reintroduce the possibility of a continuous workday”
Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho stated during a parliamentary committee hearing on Labor, Social Security, and Inclusion for the in-depth discussion of the State Budget for 2026 that the possibility of working a continuous schedule is under consideration. In response to a query from the Libre party concerning flexible schedules, she emphasized that the government is contemplating this option.
“We will reintroduce the possibility of a continuous workday, which practically allows parents or both to leave earlier to take care of their children without heavily penalizing companies,” she explained.
Concerning the extension of parental leave—proposed by the government to last up to six months if parents choose an additional 60 days in a shared regime after the mandatory 120 days— the minister argued that it is a virtuous measure for promoting gender equality.
Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho emphasized that the government’s proposal aims to create a more balanced reconciliation of work and family life, as the last two months must be shared between both parents to receive full compensation.
“When we grant rights solely to mothers, it increases the inequality between men and women, which isn’t beneficial for mothers’ careers,” the minister argued.
The Libre party also raised the issue of parents being able to accompany children with cancer. The minister responded that the government is highly sensitive to this matter, having already discussed it with parent associations.
“We are currently considering adjusting the regulations around parental leave as part of the Labor XXI reform to incorporate the most significant requests from these associations,” she added, indicating that such leaves may be granted as justified absences.
