Spanish Supreme Court ruling Reflects Nation’s Relaxed Approach to Punctuality
Madrid, Spain - A recent ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court allowing employees up to 15 minutes of lateness without penalty has brought renewed attention to the country’s historically relaxed attitude towards timekeeping. While a survey reveals 92 percent of Spaniards state they woudl never consider being late to a meeting or job interview, and 80 percent consistently arrive on time for work, cultural norms appear to diverge from strict adherence to schedules.
The new rule dictates that arrival up to 15 minutes after the official start time is considered the official start time, with no deduction of minutes or penalties applied. This contrasts sharply with countries like the UK, where consistent lateness, even by 15 minutes, would likely result in repercussions. The survey also showed Spaniards are less likely to consider lateness unacceptable for social engagements, with 39 percent deeming it unacceptable for weddings, 36 percent for dates, and 36 percent for doctor’s appointments.
despite a general societal expectation of punctuality for certain events - Spanish trains, for example, are known for running on schedule – a broader cultural acceptance of tardiness prevails. A study by INSEAD identified several countries with even more relaxed work-related timelines than Spain,including Saudi Arabia,Nigeria,India,Kenya,china,Turkey,Brazil,Mexico,and Russia. Conversely, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Poland were highlighted as the most punctual nations.
The reasons behind Spain’s less rigid approach to time are not definitively known, but are frequently enough attributed to the country’s “laidback, fun-loving nature,” a trait shared with Italy, where similar issues with punctuality exist. Research from the University of Washington suggests a neurological basis for chronic lateness, with psychologist Consuelo Tomás explaining that “if a person has a very fast internal time, they tend to overestimate time, and if it’s slow, they tend to underestimate it.” (Lasexta.com).
The Supreme Court’s decision, while seemingly minor, underscores a fundamental difference in work culture and societal expectations, positioning Spain as a nation where a degree of versatility regarding time is not only accepted, but now legally recognized.
