Working Time and Family Responsibilities in Spanish Labour Law: an Overview on the Current Situation

Abstract

The Spanish legal foundation on working time does not create a favourable atmosphere for employees to reconcile their work and family responsibilities. This study outlines the institutional figures that permit Spanish employees to reduce or redistribute their working hours; in addition to illustrating some of the differences with other European workers. In Spain, the lack of social awareness regarding reconciliation of labour and family life is apparent in that its regulation does not emerge from an initiative of the Spanish parliament, but rather, results from the transposition of guidelines established by the international and European communities. Therefore, Spanish employees having family responsibilities find it harder to achieve a balance between work and family as compared to their colleagues in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden or Germany. Furthermore, Spanish data from 2005 to 2014 has been analysed in order to determine if a change in trend has occurred with regards to reconciliation or if, on the contrary, we are witnessing the perpetuation of traditional men and women roles.