Change of working conditions
A change in your working conditions can turn your life upside down. We explain whether it is legal and what you can do.
What it involves
A change in working conditions (modificación de condiciones de trabajo) happens when the company changes important aspects of your contract: your timetable, shifts, working hours, pay or duties. It can do so in some cases, but it needs genuine reasons and must follow a procedure. If it does not respect them, you can oppose the change and, in certain situations, choose to end your contract with compensation.
Is this your case?
- You are moved from the morning shift to the night shift and can no longer look after your children.
- Your pay is cut or you lose a bonus you have always been paid.
- You are told to do tasks very different from those of your job category.
- You are transferred to another workplace far from your home.
How we help
We analyse the company's notice, your contract and your collective agreement to see whether the change is substantial and whether it has been made properly. We explain your options: accepting it, challenging it or, when the law allows, leaving the company with compensation. If you decide to challenge it, we file the claim in time, because the time limit is short. And if your residence depends on your job, we take into account how it affects you. We can help you in Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight, French and English, at our offices in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Málaga and Barcelona or online, wherever you are in Spain.
If the change ends in a dismissal, we stay by your side, and if your income drops just before you renew, we help you with residence renewals.
Frequently asked questions
- Can they change my working hours without my consent?
- The company can make some changes for justified reasons, but it must follow a procedure and give you notice in advance. If it doesn't, or the reason is not genuine, the change can be challenged.
- What can I do if I don't accept the change in my conditions?
- Depending on the case, you can challenge it in court or, in some situations where it harms you, ask to end your contract with compensation. Before deciding, it is worth reviewing it carefully.
- If my hours or pay are reduced, can it affect my papers?
- It can, because many renewals take your contract and your income into account. If your permit depends on your job, we review both issues together.
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Tell us about your case.
A first conversation — confidential and without obligation — to understand whether we can help, and how.
We speak Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight (Berber), French and English.