Spain

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New Remote Working Legislation Around the World [Updated]

With the rise of technology, work from home has been a steadily growing trend for many years. Remote working has exploded since Spring 2020 with quarantines, workplace closures, and lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at least for jobs and industries that do not always require workers to be on-site.

This abrupt, worldwide shift to remote work has sparked new logistical and structural legal challenges that have warranted many countries to pass teleworking legislation, some of which are summarized in this article.

New teleworking legislation varies widely across countries. While some countries introduced their first teleworking general legal framework, other countries passed more detailed measures. This article will only cover permanent teleworking legislation that has entered into effect since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Temporary COVID-19 related measures, as well as proposed legislation not yet passed as of the publication of this article will not be addressed.

Spain

Spain Expands Family Leave Entitlements

The Spanish government passed legislation transposing the European Union (EU) Directive 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers into local law. Royal Decree Law 5/2023 entered into effect on 30 June 2023 and introduces, among other provisions, unpaid parental care leave, paid force majeure leave, and extensions to current carers’ leave provisions and other existing leaves.

Spain

Spain introduces menstrual leave [updated]

The Spanish parliament recently passed new legislation introducing multiple changes to menstrual and reproductive health legislation including a government-paid temporary sick leave for female employees who suffer severe menstrual pain. The new leave (also called “menstrual leave”) may be taken for as long as needed so long as the temporary medical incapacity is approved by a doctor.

The legislation will enter into effect three months after its publication in the Official Gazette (the exact publication date is still yet to be determined).

Spain

Spain introduces tax revisions for 2021

The Spanish government passed the General Budget Law for 2021, which includes pension contributions changes and other tax measures impacting employment.   The new changes entered into effect on 1 January 2021. Pension plans In Spain, employees are allowed to […]

Spain

Spain clarifies gender equality obligations

On 14 October 2020, the Spanish government approved two Royal Decrees intended to work in tandem to clarify gender equality policy and reporting obligations adding clarity and teeth to the Gender Equality Law 2007. As a result, employers with more […]

Spain ensures right to disconnect from work

A new act on Privacy and Digital Rights entered into effect on 7 December 2018. This new law ensures that employees have the right to “digitally” switch off from work, meaning they can disconnect to fully enjoy their designated rest […]