Guidelines On Paid time Off Work

Spanish law, in particular the so-called Workers' Statute provides for a number of days off or 'licenses' apart from the standard holidays and feast days. These days off are remunerated. In order to benefit from any one of these licenses, the company should be duly informed of this need and the reason for being away from work and in such a case the absence will be granted. The following is a complete list of events which give rise to the right to paid time off:

• Getting married, 15 calendar days.

• Birth of a child or the death, accident or serious illness or hospitalization of a relative. In such a case two days of absence will be allowed (4 if you need to travel from one locality to another).

• Changing home, one day will be allowed.

• Fulfilling a public or personal duty e.g. the right to vote and the necessary time required to perform this right. When this is included under a legal ruling or has been previously agreed, the time involved and economic compensation will be those legally provided. In the case of it being impossible to turn up for work for more than 20 per cent of a period of three months, the company may apply the measure of compulsory redundancy.

• Members of trade unions taking part in negotiations in collective agreements, always provided that the company concerned is affected by the negotiation in question. These workers will be allowed to absent themselves from work for the period of time required to comply with their responsibilities in this respect.

• For the time required for medical examinations during the latter part of pregnancy and for performing the techniques of preparation for birth within the working day.

• Female workers who have to feed a child under nine months, will have the right to one of hour of absence from work. This period may be broken down into shorter periods if necessary. The worker may also substitute this right for a reduction of half an hour in her working day. This leave of absence may be enjoyed equally by the mother or the father in the case of both being employed.

• In the case of premature birth or for any other reason necessitating continue hospitalization after the birth, the mother or the father will have the right to be absent from work for one hour per day. Likewise, they will have the right to reduce their working day of up to a maximum of two hours with a proportionate reduction of wages.

• In the case of those workers who are required to look after a child of under six years of age or of a physically or mentally disabled person who does not carry out any paid activity, the right to be away from work will be granted with a reduction of wages equivalent to not less than a third and not more than half of the duration of absence.

• Being a member of a jury will be considered as complying with a necessary duty as above.

• The periods taken up by the members of the committee and delegates of the company in the carrying out of their functions will be credited as normal working hours.