Opinion. The recent interprofessional minimum salary update (SMI) and the reduction of the working day to 37.5 hours per week can be an important challenge for companies in Spain. While some voices show their concern about the immediate economic impact that it could have on labor costs, the new reforms will force many companies to make deep adjustments in their management systems, with a special focus on technology applied to the administration of payrolls and time control.
In this context, digitalization becomes An unavoidable need. Companies must review their salary structures and ensure that all employees receive the salary stipulated by law. However, this process is not simply a matter of adjusting figures; It implies modifications in accounting, social security contributions and benefit management. For this, it is essential to have advanced technological tools that allow these changes to be efficiently and without errors.
One of the main challenges is Update of payroll systems. Many companies still depend on manual or software processes that do not have the necessary flexibility to adapt to these changes in an agile way. In this sense, digital solutions specialized in payroll management are presented as the best alternative. These systems allow automating calculations, reducing human errors and expediting payment processes, ensuring compliance with the regulations without work overloading administrative departments.
However, the implementation of these systems is not immediate or free. Companies must invest in updated software and train their employees in their use. Although at first this may seem an additional cost that adds to the increase in wages and the reduction of the working day, the reality is that Digitization can mean significant savings in the medium and long term. Process optimization through payroll software could reduce operating costs by up to 15% per year, which represents a respite for many companies that operate with tight margins.
In addition, automation not only helps manage payrolls, but also facilitates working time management In a context where the reduction of the working day will force greater control of the hours actually worked. The use of digital hourly registration tools will be key to guaranteeing compliance with the new regulations without implying an excessive administrative charge for companies.
Another crucial aspect is transparency and communication with employees. The implementation of new technologies must be accompanied by an effort to explain how these changes affect the organization and workers. A clear communication and well -planned transition can avoid labor conflicts and improve the acceptance of these measures within companies.
In short, adaptation to the new SMI and the reduction of working hours is not only a matter of numbers, but Business modernization. Those companies that are committed to having an expert supplier in digitalization and the optimization of their processes will not only comply with the regulations more efficiently, but will also be better prepared to face the challenges of the future. Investment in technology and training should not be seen as an expense, but as a key strategy to improve competitiveness in an increasingly demanding and regulated market.
Signed by Águeda Hernández, Director of Technical Services of ADP Iberia