The 2024 labor draft bill is a legislative proposal presented by the Spanish Government aimed at introducing reforms in the labor sector. Among the main measures included are:
Reduction of the workday: a progressive decrease in the workday is proposed.
Mandatory digital time tracking: it is established that companies must implement digital systems for recording working hours.
The draft bill proposes a progressive reduction of the workday with the aim of improving workers' quality of life and promoting a balance between work and personal life:
2024: reduction to 38.5 hours per week.
2025: reduction to 37.5 hours per week.
The implementation of this measure will be gradual, allowing companies and employees to adapt to the new conditions, focusing on maintaining productivity and worker well-being.
The proposed law considers all recorded time as working hours, with the obligation for companies to account for any time exceeding the agreed-upon workday with the employee, such as overtime or supplementary hours. This will ensure proper compensation for workers.
Paper records, although traditional, present several problems: they are prone to loss, alteration, and require a lot of time for review. With the proposed regulation, time tracking records will become digital, making it easier to store, consult, and audit them.
The regulation provides for certain exceptions to digital time tracking, applicable to special labor relationships and workers with flexible hours, such as executives and senior management, who can opt for a different availability regime.
The system will allow remote reviews by the Labor Inspectorate and ensure the retention of records for at least four years, guaranteeing transparency and facilitating future data reviews.
The digital time tracking system must meet certain criteria, such as:
Automation: automatic recording of start and end times.
Accessibility: records must be available to the Inspectorate and workers.
Data security and preservation: secure and encrypted storage.
Reporting capability: ease of generating detailed reports on hours worked.
Another key measure of the draft bill is allowing the Labor Inspectorate to access digital records remotely. This measure will allow audits to be conducted without needing to be physically present in the company, increasing efficiency and speeding up inspections. Companies will need to adapt their digital time tracking systems to comply with these requirements, ensuring a smooth audit process in accordance with regulations.
Non-compliance with time tracking regulations in Spain can lead to significant financial penalties for companies. According to the new draft bill, fines could reach up to 10,000 euros per worker. The amount of the fine will depend on factors such as repeat offenses, intent, and the severity of the violation. It is crucial for companies to implement proper time tracking systems to comply with current regulations and avoid these consequences.
