Spain to mandate transparent labor contracts and justified probation periods

The Spanish Government is set to approve a Royal Decree aimed at increasing transparency and predictability in labor conditions, transposing a long-delayed European Union directive. The new regulation will mandate that employment contracts include detailed information regarding salary, working hours, professional categories, and payment methods.

A key component of the reform focuses on the probation period. While the general six-month limit remains, any extensions beyond this duration must now be specifically justified and based on collective agreements or the specific nature of the job. Companies will also be required to clearly define the criteria and tests a worker must pass to successfully complete the probation phase.

Additionally, the decree introduces new rights regarding the use of technology in the workplace. Employees will have the right to be informed about how algorithms are used to make decisions that affect their employment, such as task distribution, shifts, or promotions. This measure seeks to combat job precariousness and ensure workers have clear, written documentation of their working conditions from the start of their employment.