What are companies' obligations under NOM-035 in Mexico?
The Official Mexican Standard NOM-035-STPS-2018, better known as NOM-035, is a regulation established by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) to identify, analyze, and prevent psychosocial risk factors in Mexican workplaces. Compliance with it is mandatory for all companies and has a direct impact on employees’ quality of life and organizational productivity.
Objective of NOM-035
The main objective of NOM-035 is to ensure a favorable organizational environment and prevent harm to the mental and physical health of workers. To this end, it establishes guidelines that companies must follow to manage psychosocial risks, such as work-related stress, workplace violence, and excessive workloads.
Obligations of Companies According to Their Size
Companies’ obligations vary depending on the number of employees. They are divided into three categories:
Companies with 1 to 15 employees
- Disseminate and implement a policy for the prevention of psychosocial risks.
- Identify and analyze psychosocial risk factors.
- Adopt control measures to prevent the identified risks.
- Provide workers with information about psychosocial risks and preventive measures.
Companies with 16 to 50 employees
- Comply with all obligations of companies with up to 15 employees.
- Implement measures to prevent and control psychosocial risk factors.
- Apply assessment questionnaires to identify risk factors.
- Establish care mechanisms for workers exposed to severe traumatic events.
Companies with more than 50 employees
- Comply with all obligations of the previous categories.
- Evaluate the organizational environment through surveys and diagnostics.
- Implement programs to improve working conditions and reduce stress.
- Conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with the standard.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with NOM-035 can result in sanctions from the STPS, ranging from fines of between 250 and 5,000 times the Unit of Measurement and Update (UMA), to stricter labor inspections that can affect the company’s operations.
Benefits of Complying with NOM-035
Complying with NOM-035 not only avoids penalties, but also generates key benefits:
- Improved work environment and increased productivity.
- Reduction of absenteeism and staff turnover.
- Prevention of work-related stress-related illnesses.
- Improved corporate reputation and talent attraction.
Recommendations for Implementing NOM-035
Para facilitar el cumplimiento de la NOM-035, las empresas pueden seguir estos pasos:
- Diagnóstico Inicial: Aplicar cuestionarios de evaluación de riesgos psicosociales.
- Capacitación: Brindar formación sobre la NOM-035 a líderes y empleados.
- Políticas de Bienestar: Implementar iniciativas como horarios flexibles y apoyo psicológico.
- Monitoreo y Seguimiento: Evaluar periódicamente el impacto de las medidas adoptadas.
Conclusion
NOM-035 represents an important step toward improving working conditions in Mexico. Compliance with it is not only a legal obligation, but also a key strategy for fostering a healthy and productive work environment. Companies that implement it correctly can improve their efficiency, attract talent, and reduce costs related to absenteeism and employee turnover.
To ensure compliance with NOM-035 and optimize human resource management, companies like Global Touch can help with specialized solutions for labor compliance and organizational well-being.