37.5-hour workweek and mandatory digital time tracking: what just happened and what’s next

The Spanish Congress has rejected the proposal to reduce the workweek to 37.5 hours, which also included mandatory immutable digital time tracking and the so-called digital disconnection.

This decision has created confusion among employers and employees. In this article, we explain what was approved, what was not, and what to expect in the coming months.

Has the 37.5-hour workweek been approved?

No. The reduction of the workweek to 37.5 hours was rejected in Congress with the votes of PP, Vox, and Junts, according to El País.

The workweek in Spain remains at 40 hours.

What about mandatory digital time tracking?

The proposal also included a crucial change: requiring all companies to implement an immutable digital time tracking system to ensure traceability and prevent manipulation.

Since the entire bill was rejected, this measure has not come into effect either. However, the Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, has already announced her intention to reintroduce digital time tracking separately, possibly even through a government decree (El País, June 2025).

Current situation: what companies need to know

1. The workweek remains 40 hours.
2. Time tracking has been mandatory since 2019, under Royal Decree-law 8/2019.
3. There is still no requirement for time tracking to be digital and immutable.
4. The government is determined to implement it soon, so companies should start preparing.

What impact will mandatory digital time tracking have?

• For companies: they will need to invest in secure digital systems for clock-ins and time management.
• For employees: it will ensure greater transparency and protection regarding actual working hours.
• For the labor market: it will accelerate digitalization in Human Resources, driving the adoption of specialized platforms such as JornAda.

Conclusion

For now, nothing changes: the 40-hour workweek remains in force, and time tracking can still be done on paper, in Excel, or using digital apps.

But everything indicates that in the coming months, the government will independently approve mandatory immutable digital time tracking, transforming compliance with labor regulations and opening a new era of transparency in employer-employee relations.

The recommendation for companies is clear: anticipate and adopt reliable digital clocking systems now, to ensure a smooth transition when the measure comes into force.