New Royal Decree on working time records: towards digital, verifiable and real-time monitoring.

The Spanish Government is preparing to take a decisive step in the digitalisation of the workplace with the imminent approval of a new Royal Decree on working time records.

The regulation will transform how companies manage their employees’ working time:
– Records must be kept exclusively through digital means, ensuring traceability, objectivity and security.
– Every change will leave a digital audit trail identifying who made it and when.
– The Labour Inspectorate will be able to access the records remotely and in real time.
– Employees will be able to view and download their own history, strengthening transparency and trust in the employment relationship.

The new system will also need to record more than just starting and finishing times. It must include:
– Breaks and rest periods.
– On-site or remote work.
– Regular hours, overtime and on-call hours.
– Periods of digital disconnection and work-life balance measures.

💡 For companies, the change will present a technological challenge, particularly for SMEs and highly mobile sectors, but it will also offer an opportunity to manage working time more efficiently and fairly.

Penalties for non-compliance may range from €751 to €7,500 for each affected employee, although the Ministry of Labour states that its objective is to strengthen employment rights and reduce disputes.

In summary, paper-based clocking in is giving way to a digital, verifiable and accessible working time system that redefines the relationship between technology, transparency and work.