Spain confirms right to halve daily work hours for parents with children under 12

The Spanish government has clarified that workers who are the legal guardians of children younger than 12 may request a reduction of up to half of their daily working time. The reduction must be proportionate to salary, ranging from at least one‑eighth to a maximum of 50% of the normal wage, as set out in articles 37.6 and 34.8 of the Workers' Statute. Employers are obliged to honour the request and cannot dismiss the employee on objective or disciplinary grounds during the reduced‑hours period. Social Security contributions for the first two years of the reduction are calculated on the basis of the previous full‑time hours, preserving future pension rights. An alternative "custom‑schedule" option allows workers to adjust their hours without a salary cut, maintaining 100% pay while changing the distribution of work time.

These measures aim to improve work‑life balance for parents and other caregivers, offering options such as teleworking, flexible shifts, or a reduced‑hour schedule while safeguarding employment and pension protections.