Are Spanish workers becoming increasingly prone to illness? Or are they simply becoming lazier, as some employer representatives suggest? One thing is certain: workplace absenteeism continues to rise in Spain, while employers and trade unions have so far failed to come together to resolve the issue.
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Absenteeism is “a cancer,” it is costly, and “we cannot afford to pay €30 billion a year,” said Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of Spain’s main opposition party, the conservative People’s Party, criticizing the financial burden created by employee absences. He has pledged to tackle the issue if he comes to power by reducing the benefits paid to employees on sick leave, “with or without the agreement of the trade unions.”
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Article authors
Cécile Thibaud
Correspondent in Spain
As Madrid correspondent for mind RH since 2021, I cover news developments in Spain's world of work, focusing on legal developments and collective bargaining, particularly around work-life balance, equality and inclusion policies, which have been hot topics in the country in recent years.