Reduction of the working week to 37.5 hours: Legislative process delayed and major challenges for SMEs
The Spanish government continues to push forward with a far-reaching labour reform: the reduction of the maximum working week from 40 to 37.5 hours, while maintaining the same salary for workers. This measure was approved as a bill by the Council of Ministers on 6 May 2025 and has already begun its passage through the Congress of Deputies.
Key deadlines for the reform:
- Business adaptation: companies have until 31 December 2025 to implement the reduction, adapting their collective agreements within that period.
- Strengthened labour rights: a digital time register, the right to digital disconnection and penalties of up to €10,000 per worker in the event of non-compliance are introduced.
Political situation and challenges for its approval:
The bill has met with parliamentary resistance, especially from groups such as Junts, which tabled a comprehensive amendment, arguing that the measure ignores the reality of small businesses and self-employed workers in Catalonia.
In response, the government has decided to postpone the parliamentary debate until after the summer in order to create a more conducive climate for consensus.
Despite the delay, Minister Yolanda Díaz is optimistic, stressing that the measure is one of the most highly valued by the public and could benefit some 12.5 million workers.
Business sectors, represented by the CEOE, Cepyme and the Chamber of Commerce, have criticised the alleged imposition by decree, which does not respect sectoral collective bargaining, warning of a potential increase in labour costs, estimated at between 2% and 7%.
Legal adaptation
Ultimately, legal adaptation should not be understood solely as a regulatory obligation, but as a strategic opportunity to strengthen legal certainty, customer confidence and the sustainability of organisations. Anticipating changes, implementing effective compliance mechanisms and maintaining a culture of respect for the law are essential steps to ensure not only formal compliance, but also legitimacy and competitiveness in an increasingly demanding environment. Legal adaptation, therefore, is much more than compliance: it is building the future on solid foundations.
Where to consult the drafts
Draft law to reduce the maximum length of the ordinary working day and guarantee the recording of working hours and the right to disconnect.
| Proyecto Ley 20250516 Congreso Diputados | 189 KB |
