A estos trabajadores no les afecta
The extra day February 29 brings, every four years, questions about pay in the workplace. For most workers, this day does not affect their salary because pay is calculated on a monthly basis, regardless of the number of days in the month. In these cases, the extra day is treated as a normal working day.
In Spain, the Workers’ Statute states that the settlement and payment of wages must be made promptly with the proper documentation on the agreed date or in line with usual practices, without tying a fixed payment date to whether the year is a leap year. This means that, regardless of the calendar, the processes of payment and employment should continue as normal.
When there is any doubt, the best course is to consult the company’s Human Resources department to understand how February 29 is applied in a specific case.
February 29 will be favorable for employees with certain contracts
There are exceptions. Workers who are paid by the day or by the hour will see an increase in their earnings for working on February 29, though there is no single rule about whether they must attend the extra day. It all depends on the individual contract and the company’s collective bargaining agreement. Some agreements treat February 29 as a holiday, while others deem it a normal working day.
In practice, this means that some employees may receive higher pay for February 29 if they work that day, while others may not see a change depending on their contract terms and the applicable collective agreement.
In case of doubt, the best approach is to check with the Human Resources department to see how February 29 is handled for a given role or contract.
When will wages be paid?
This February brings a double benefit for workers. First, wages may be advanced by a few days if the company decides to do so. Second, this month may reflect the new salaries and back pay associated with the national Minimum Interprofessional Wage increase approved recently. It should be noted that the government raised the minimum wage by 5 percent, reaching a gross monthly amount of 1,134 euros or approximately 37.8 euros per day for those on qualifying contracts.
These updates can affect how quickly employers process payroll and any retroactive payments that accompany wage adjustments. For employees, the practical outcome is that some payments may appear sooner, and others may align with the updated regulatory figures rather than the prior figures. This is generally coordinated through payroll departments in accordance with national rules and company practices.
As always, workers are encouraged to verify their pay schedule with the payroll or HR team if they have questions about the timing and amounts reflected in the current pay period. Clear communication helps avoid surprises and ensures that everyone understands how February 29 influences compensation under their specific terms.
Overall, February becomes a point of clarity for many employees, clarifying whether extra hours or extra days count as paid time and how upcoming wage changes interact with existing contracts. Recent wage policy adjustments and how they are implemented by employers can influence both the timing and the level of earnings for the month.