Can I reduce my working hours to care for my child?
Yes: it's a right for caring for children or relatives. The Workers' Statute recognises the right to reduce working hours for legal guardianship of a child under 12, a person with a disability or for the direct care of a relative (up to the second degree) who can't manage alone. The reduction can range from one eighth to one half of your working day, with a proportional cut in salary. It's a worker's right: the specific hours (which hours you reduce) are up to you, within your ordinary working day, though it must be exercised in good faith. You must give notice to the company per the collective agreement (15 days by default). Those who reduce hours for these reasons have reinforced protection against dismissal.
📋 The rules
- Right for a child under 12, disability or dependent relative
- Reduction of 1/8 to 1/2 of the working day
- Proportional salary cut
- The specific hours are decided by the worker
- Reinforced protection against dismissal (it would be void)
🔓 Exceptions
- Children with cancer or serious illness: special reduction (up to 100%) with benefit
- The collective agreement can improve conditions and notice periods
- Disputes over the specific hours: settled by the labour court
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The company can't deny the reduction when the requirements are met; it can only dispute the specific hours and, where applicable, go to the labour court by an urgent procedure. Dismissing or penalising someone who exercises this right would be a void dismissal (with mandatory reinstatement). Note that reducing hours proportionally cuts the salary and can affect contribution bases, though for some benefits there are rules that protect the contributions. Give written notice and keep a copy.
📎 Official sources
- BOE · Workers' Statute (reduced hours, art. 37) →
- Ministry of Labour · Work-life balance and reduced hours →
- Administración · Work-life balance →
❓ Frequently asked
Who can request reduced hours?
Anyone who has, by legal guardianship, a child under 12 or a person with a disability in their care, or who must directly care for a relative up to the second degree who can't manage alone and isn't in paid work. It's a worker's right.
How much can I reduce my hours?
Between one eighth and one half of your working day, with a proportional cut in salary. Within that range you choose the reduction you need, and the specific hours (which hours you reduce) are up to you within your ordinary working day.
Can they cut my pay if I reduce my hours?
The salary is cut in the same proportion as the hours, which is inherent to the arrangement. What they can't do is penalise you beyond that proportion or harm you for exercising the right. The reduction can also affect your contribution bases.
Can the company refuse?
It can't deny the right if you meet the requirements. It can dispute the specific hours you propose and, in that case, must go to the labour court, which decides by an urgent procedure. Meanwhile, your right to reduce hours stands.
Am I protected against dismissal?
Yes. Those who request or take reduced hours for care have reinforced protection: a dismissal for this reason would be void, with mandatory reinstatement. Even so, it's best to give written notice and keep a copy of the request.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “reduced hours childcare”
- “reduced hours child under 12”
- “reduced hours proportional salary”
- “specific hours reduced working day”
- “company denies reduced hours”
- “reduced hours void dismissal”