Employee time tracking and the new 37.5‑hour workweek

The new working time control law and the reduction of the working week to 37.5 hours mark a turning point in the management of working time in Spain. All companies, regardless of their size, must adapt to these regulations to ensure legal compliance and improve the productivity of their teams.

In this article, we explain what the regulation consists of, how it affects SMEs, and what solutions exist to comply with it easily.

What does the new working time control law say?

Since 2019, working time recording has been mandatory for all companies as established by the BOE and supervised by the Ministry of Labour. The regulation requires companies to record employees’ clock‑in and clock‑out times, including overtime hours.

The objective is clear:

• Avoid labor abuses.
• Ensure the right to rest.
• Facilitate work–life balance.

Failing to comply with this obligation can result in significant financial penalties.

Working time recording: company obligations

Companies must:

• Record the daily working hours of each worker.
• Keep the records for 4 years.
• Make them available to the Labour Inspectorate upon request.

This means that an Excel sheet or manual time tracking is no longer sufficient. Nowadays, time‑tracking software is the most practical, secure, and adaptable solution for complying with collective bargaining agreements.

37.5‑hour workweek: impact on SMEs

The reduction of the working week to 37.5 hours aims to promote employment and improve workers’ quality of life.

For SMEs, this means:

• Reorganizing shifts and schedules.
• Adapting contracts and collective bargaining agreements.
• Adjusting internal management tools.

Although it may seem like a challenge at first, having systems that automate shift planning and time tracking helps turn this obligation into an opportunity for improvement.

Benefits for work–life balance

One of the main goals of the new regulation is to promote work–life balance. With a shorter workweek, employees have more time for their personal lives, which results in:

• Greater motivation and productivity.
• Reduced absenteeism.
• A better work environment.

How to implement time tracking with specialized software

Digital systems allow:

• Clock‑in from a mobile phone or computer.
• Recording of shifts, overtime, and breaks.
• Automatic reports for audits.
• Guaranteed legal compliance.

At ABD Consulting, we recommend technological solutions that integrate with the rest of your company’s processes, facilitating digital transformation and ensuring that you are always up to date with current regulations.

Conclusion

The employee time tracking requirement and the 37.5‑hour workweek are two key aspects that every company must implement correctly. Beyond avoiding penalties, they represent an opportunity to improve internal management, optimize resources, and take care of employee well‑being.

Download our Guide on Time Tracking and the 37.5‑Hour Workweek and discover how to adapt your company to the new law easily and effectively.