The approval of new legislation in Spain to progressively reduce working hours from 40 to 37.5 hours per week promises to transform the labour market. However, to improve work-life balance and from the point of view of productivity, the law also brings challenges to companies that must adapt quickly to comply with the new rules.
In this context, Workforce Management (WFM) tools can play a decisive role in helping companies, managers, and employees achieve greater efficiency and benefits during this transition period.
What does the law say about the Reduction of Working Hours?
The new legislation proposes a progressive reduction of the current 40-hour working week to:
- 38.5 hours per week by 2025.
- 37.5 hours per week from 2026.
In addition, the law establishes the obligation of a digital time record to prevent fraud and increase transparency, introducing stricter sanctions for companies that do not fulfil the requirements. Therefore, this scenario calls for more rigorous and modern human resources management, where WFM tools can be a strong ally.
Resource optimisation simplifies processes
These changes require significant adjustments, particularly regarding working time management, schedules, and time records. SISQUAL ® WFM enables simplified and automated management of employees’ working time. Until the law is enacted, the main feature that will help companies in this adaptation process is the simulation of the new scenarios that this change in legislation could create in the existing operation. ‘A WFM tool is essential to measure this impact, with simulations of each scenario in real-time, acquiring the intelligence necessary for entrepreneurs to be prepared for any change in legislation,’ says José Pedro Fernandes, Vice President of SISQUAL® WFM.
Through advanced functionalities, WFM tools allow companies to:
- Simulate scenarios and assess the impact of reduced working hours on operations;
- Manage schedules and shifts more efficiently, ensuring that productivity requirements are met;
- Control overtime and absenteeism, avoiding additional costs.
SISQUAL® WFM helps companies comply with the new legislation by automating time recording and schedule management. This reduces the risk of sanctions, which can be up to €10,000 in fines for each employee concerned. By implementing a more efficient management system, companies can improve productivity without compromising their employees’ quality of life, thus obtaining greater competitive value in the market.
Flexibility increases work-life balance
Reduced working hours, combined with the more flexible schedules provided by WFM tools, allow employees to have more control over their schedules and enjoy more family time, avoiding excessive exposure to ‘out of hours’ work. By using a mobile app such as the SISQUAL® Quality of Life APP, employees have access to all the relevant information, enabling them to:
- Consult timetables and shifts.
- Request holidays and justify absences practically.
- Receive immediate notifications about changes to the timetable.
With the new law’s approval, companies will have to prioritise rigour and compliance in managing working time to avoid sanctions. This change not only strengthens the protection of labour workers’ rights but also demands greater responsibility from employers. ‘It is essential to guarantee certainty, security and clear deadlines so that companies can adapt without affecting their productivity and competitiveness,’ says the Vice President of SISQUAL® WFM.
Transformation in the Spanish labour market is inevitable, but organisations that adopt the right solutions will be better prepared to compete in a rapidly changing market.
Find out how SISQUAL® WFM can modernise your workforce management in work-life balance scenarios!
Book a free demo here!
