Cécile Thibaud
Freelance
Expertise
As Madrid correspondent for mind RH since 2021, I cover Spanish news related to the 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.
Most read articles by Cécile Thibaud
Spain: new leave provisions under consideration relating to bereavement and palliative care support
On 20 October, Spain’s labour ministry submitted a draft decree-law on end-of-life leave to the social partners. The proposal seeks to extend bereavement leave, introduce a 15-day leave...
- HR
- News
27 October 2025
Latest articles by Cécile Thibaud
Spain: airline Vueling fined for discrimination against hostesses
The Spanish low-cost airline Vueling has been handed a €30,000 fine by the Barcelona labour inspectorate for requiring its female flight attendants to wear make-up and high heels, while...
27 March 2023
Spain: an independent authority for the protection of whistle-blowers
Spanish legislation transposing the European directive on whistle-blowers is providing for the creation of an independent external whistleblowing channel, alongside penalties of up to € 1 million...
- HR
- News
15 March 2023
Spain: a bill for effective gender parity in companies
The Spanish government is looking to move towards effective gender balance in corporate decision making bodies, with at least 40% female representation on the boards of directors and in senior...
Spain: El Corte Inglés launches a voluntary redundancy plan for older workers
Retail chain El Corte Inglés, Spain's leading department store chain, has presented the trade unions with a reorganization plan as a way of coping with the changing face of both the retail sector...
1 March 2023
Spain: minimum salary level raised 8%
The minimum wage floor has risen to €1,080 gross per month over 14 months, representing 60% of the average wage in Spain, as recommended by the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages. The minimum...
2 February 2023
Spain: working conditions in consultancy firms have come under scrutiny
Spain’s Labour Inspectorate is studying working hour practices in large audit and consultancy firms at a time when the renegotiation of the sector's collective agreement is in full swing and...
24 January 2023
Portugal: four-day working week pilot project commences
A four-day working week trial programme has kicked off in Portugal. During the first six months of 2023, companies wishing to participate in the experimental pilot project will be subject to a...
9 January 2023
Spain: special visa for digital nomads comes into force
New legislation aimed at fostering the ecosystem of emerging companies, known as the Start-up Law, came into force on 01 January 2023. The law seeks to establish a favourable regulatory framework...
- HR
- News brief
4 January 2023
Spain: industrial sector SMEs to receive support to reduce working time
The Spanish government has unveiled details of its pilot project encouraging companies to reduce their working hours or even adopt a four-day week. The plan, which will be powered with €10 million...
2 January 2023
Spain: menstrual leave allowance set to be introduced
In what marks a first in Europe, members of Spain's Congress of Deputies have adopted on first reading a bill that would offer menstrual leave to women who suffer from painful periods. Under the...
- HR
- News
16 December 2022
Spain: families bill will provide for new family leave periods
On 13 December, the Spanish government approved in first reading, a series of measures to facilitate work-life balance and co-responsibility within families. Included is the right to two new paid...
14 December 2022
Spain: government seeks to mitigate the impact of industrial restructuring plans
Spanish Industry Minister Reyes Maroto has presented draft legislation designed to mitigate the impact of industry restructuring and job cuts. The text, which must now be negotiated with the...
- HR
- News brief
7 December 2022
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
Italy: decree-law adopted to increase workplace safety
On 28 October, the Italian cabinet adopted a decree-law on health and safety at work, aimed at preventing and reducing accidents. The text addresses both the powers and actions of supervisory...
4 November 2025
Romania: parents of children with disabilities granted up to eight days of remote work per month
On 9 October, the Romanian parliament adopted a bill aiming to bolster support for parents of children with disabilities up to the age of 18. The legislation, which came into force on 12 October...
4 November 2025
Carrefour and UNI Global Union renew global agreement on promoting social dialogue and diversity
On 17 October, Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retailers, with nearly 500,000 employees worldwide, and global union federation UNI Global Union renewed their global agreement on...
3 November 2025
mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators
In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...
31 October 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators
In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...
31 October 2025
2
Netherlands: ING cites AI as it plans to cut around 950 jobs
Dutch bank ING has informed the employment agency UWV that it may cut around 950 jobs by 31 December 2026. In its notification on 20 October, the lender said the planned reductions stem partly...
30 October 2025
3
EU: omnibus bill stalls in parliament
On 22 October, members of the European Parliament narrowly voted against a negotiating mandate that would have opened trilogue talks on the omnibus directive, which seeks to dilute the corporate...
- HR
- CSR
- News brief
23 October 2025
4
EU: Omnibus Directive clears key milestone in European Parliament
On 13 October, the European Parliament’s position on the Omnibus Directive was approved by its Committee on Legal Affairs by 17 votes to six. Regarding due diligence rules, the report...
- HR
- CSR
- News brief
13 October 2025
5
Belgium: social partners sign agreement on end-of-career schemes
Brought together in the National Labour Council (CNT), the Belgian social partners reached an agreement on 21 October on the end-of-career scheme, putting an end to several months of negotiations...
- HR
- CSR
- News brief
23 October 2025
6
AI-driven job cuts on the rise in tech sector
As leading tech companies ramp up investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and roll out transformation plans to boost its development, layoffs across the sector are increasing. But are the job...
7 October 2025