In recent years, the control of working hours has been one of the most debated issues in the workplace in Spain. The new regulation on electronic timekeeping is designed to ensure compliance with regulations on working hours and overtime, an issue that has become more relevant with the 2021 labour reform. This change requires all companies to keep a record of their employees’ daily working hours, a process that must be digitised and adapted to current technology. Below, we analyse the main aspects of this new regulation and its impact on companies.
What is electronic timekeeping?
Electronic clocking in and out is a tool that allows workers to record the start and end of their working day using digital means, such as computer systems, mobile applications or electronic cards. The main objective of this system is to guarantee transparency in the management of working time and to facilitate the control of hours worked, something essential to avoid fraud related to overtime and compliance with compulsory breaks.
New legal requirements
The regulation of electronic time and attendance was introduced following a series of amendments to the Law on the Workers’ Statute. According to current legislation, all companies are obliged to establish a system for monitoring working hours, recording the exact start and end times of the working day, as well as any overtime worked. This obligation affects all companies, regardless of their size or sector.
Electronic time and attendance is, therefore, one of the best solutions for complying with this regulation efficiently. Electronic systems allow records to be stored digitally, which facilitates access and management, as well as simplifying the task of the employees in charge of supervising time and attendance.
How does it affect companies?
With the implementation of electronic time and attendance, companies must ensure that the system they use is reliable, accessible and compliant with data protection regulations. Information on working hours must be stored for at least four years, and workers have the right to access these records if they wish.
Investment in these systems should be made with efficiency in mind and with a view to ensuring that there are no errors in the records. Companies should adapt as soon as possible to avoid sanctions and ensure that their workers have an efficient tool that respects their labour rights. Without a doubt, electronic timekeeping is here to stay and is set to transform the way we manage working time in the workplace.
Aaron Cheung Gallardo
