Reconciliation returns to be one of the main challenges of summer for millions of workers. School vacations, schedule changes, and the need to coordinate time off test companies’ organization, but nearly half of professionals in Spain face this period with little room to adapt their workday. According to the Workplace Well-being and Health Study in Spain 2026, conducted by Edenred, 47.6% of employees have low or no flexibility, despite the fact that a large majority believe these measures improve both their well-being and performance.
The keys to workplace flexibility in 20 seconds
- 47.6% of workers have little or no flexibility to organize their workday.
- More than eight out of ten employees believe flexibility boosts their productivity and well-being.
- Women and older workers have fewer options to adjust their schedules.
- Madrid leads with more flexible models, while Galicia shows the lowest percentages.
The arrival of summer highlights a reality that persists year-round. While some companies have established more flexible work models, others still offer few options to adjust schedules or facilitate work-life balance.
The report indicates that 24.9% of professionals have only limited options to flex their hours, and another 22.7% report having none.
Flexibility improves well-being, according to most workers
Employees themselves perceive a direct link between flexibility and productivity.
The study shows that 51.4% believe that being able to adapt their work schedules clearly increases their motivation and performance, while another 30.1% think it contributes significantly, though it is not the only factor influencing their performance.
Overall, more than eight out of ten workers associate these policies with a better balance between personal and professional life.
Women and senior workers have fewer options
Differences are especially noticeable based on age and gender.
Baby Boomers, aged 62 to 65, make up the group with the least access to flexible options: 37.1% report having no measures. Among Generation X, ages 46 to 61, that percentage reaches 25.9%.
In contrast, younger workers enjoy greater ability to adapt their schedules. 54.7% of Generation Z and 56.1% of Millennials report moderate to high flexibility levels.
There is also a significant gap between men and women. 26.3% of female workers say they have no flexibility measures, compared to 19.5% of men, a disparity that becomes especially relevant during the summer when work-life balance needs increase.
Madrid leads with flexible models
Regional differences are also notable.
The Community of Madrid tops the rankings for workplace flexibility. 64.7% of workers have moderate or high measures, and only 17.6% report having no options.
Furthermore, six out of ten Madrid professionals believe these policies significantly boost their motivation and productivity.
On the other end, Galicia has only 9.6% enjoying high flexibility, and 34.5% work without any such measures. The Valencian Community also shows high rigidity, with 29.1% of employees lacking the ability to adjust their schedule.
SMBs still face more challenges
Company size also influences access to these models.
Microenterprises have the highest percentage of workers with high flexibility (33%), ahead of large companies (18.7%).
Small and medium-sized businesses encounter greater difficulties. More than half of their employees work with little or no flexibility: 24.6% have no measures at all, and 28.8% have only limited options.
Hospitality and tourism sectors face less flexibility
Differences also vary by industry sector.
Information and communications is the industry where flexibility is most common. 75.8% of professionals have moderate or high measures, and only 6.9% have none.
In contrast, hospitality and tourism—one of the most active sectors during summer—shows the most challenging situation. 32% of workers in this sector say they have no flexibility measures.
Although remote work is often not possible in many activities, the report notes other ways to facilitate work-life balance, such as advance shift planning, swapping schedules, intensive workdays, or greater autonomy in organizing work time.
Olga Zografou, Director of People & CSR at Edenred Spain, states that summer highlights ongoing needs and underscores the importance of adapting work organization to each activity to improve team well-being and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of workers has little or no work flexibility?
The study indicates that 47.6% of professionals in Spain have low or no flexibility.
Who has less access to flexibility?
Older workers, especially Baby Boomers, and women show the highest percentages of lack of work flexibility.
Which autonomous community offers the most flexibility?
The Community of Madrid leads in flexible work options, with nearly two-thirds of workers enjoying moderate or high measures.
Which sector has fewer options for adjusting working hours?
Hospitality and tourism is the sector with the lowest flexibility, with almost one in three professionals indicating they have no measures at all.
Sources:
- Workplace Well-being and Health Study in Spain 2026, Edenred.
