Category: ESG
Can an employer request a negative criminal background certificate to hire a worker in Spain?
In certain areas of business, it is an essential requirement for employment and to perform a professional activity to provide the employer with a negative criminal background certificate. This is the case, for example, in work with minors and jobs related to private security. However, is there a legal reason to refuse? Is it a […]
The role of companies in sustainable worker mobility
In Spain, on any average working day, there are approximately 37 million trips to and from work. The Sustainable Economy Law contemplates the development of company transport plans aimed at promoting less-contaminating means of worker mobility. On the occasion of World Bicycle Day on June 3 and World Environment Day on June 5, we analyze […]
Royal Decree on equal pay for women and men takes effect in Spain with three instruments: job evaluations, pay registers and pay audits
It is a relatively short piece of legislation (11 articles and nine provisions on just six pages) which introduces significant new rules aimed at ensuring pay transparency and equal pay for equal work at companies. Thanks to its short length and, at times, vague wording, it is a law that raises a number of questions […]
On the road to equality at work: Where are we?
In 1957 the Treaty of Rome already contemplated the principle of equal pay between male and female workers for equal work, and therefore barred pay discrimination based on gender. And in March 2020 we heard the President of the European Commission say that “Gender equality is a fundamental principle of the European Union, but is […]
Women continue to suffer a gender pay gap even after they stop working
The difference in pay between the genders not only affects women during their working life, but also drags on afterwards, even in retirement. In March 2020, the average public pension benefit for men was €1,332.35 in Spain, versus only €877.39 for women, according to data published in the Secretary of State for Social Security’s digital […]
Equal Pay Day: Steps towards closing the gender gap in Spain
Equal Pay Day is to be held on February 22. Numerous initiatives in Spain and elsewhere contribute to encouraging gender equality at the workplace. Spanish courts have delivered judgments preventing pay discrimination. And on April 14 we will see the entry into force of Spanish legislation requiring greater pay transparency at companies. We examine below […]