Labour lawyer Virginia López warns that many Spanish companies neglect psychosocial risk prevention. She highlights rising cases of anxiety, depression, and workplace harassment linked to poor working conditions.
Labour lawyer Virginia López has sharply criticized Spanish companies for failing to address psychosocial risks in the workplace, warning that this neglect is fueling a surge in anxiety, depression, and harassment among employees. Speaking on laSexta Xplica, López described a growing number of workers seeking legal help after being forced to take sick leave due to mental health issues linked to their jobs.
López pointed out that many of those affected are employed under what she described as "deplorable conditions," which she believes directly contribute to their deteriorating mental health. She also highlighted what she called an "alarming rate of workplace harassment," arguing that unresolved conflicts at work often result in employees falling ill, regardless of whether employers acknowledge the problem.
According to López, Spanish law requires all companies—including small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up 90% of the country's business sector—to invest in measures that prevent psychosocial risks. However, she accused many business owners of failing to comply with these obligations, directly addressing entrepreneurs present in the studio and challenging their reluctance to view workers as an investment rather than a cost.
Her remarks sparked immediate backlash from business representatives participating in the debate, who rejected the notion that employers routinely disregard the well-being of their staff. The discussion reflects a broader tension in Spain over workplace mental health, as legal requirements for risk prevention often clash with business practices and perceptions of employee welfare.
Recent years have seen increased attention to mental health in Spanish workplaces, with authorities and advocacy groups calling for stricter enforcement of existing regulations. The issue is particularly acute in small and medium-sized enterprises, where resources for prevention and support are often limited. This debate echoes other high-profile disputes in Spain's public sphere, such as the controversy surrounding the Guardia Civil's internal investigations, which also raised questions about institutional responsibility and transparency—an issue previously covered in detail in this report on government responses to internal probes.
Under Spanish law, companies are required to assess and mitigate psychosocial risks as part of their occupational health and safety obligations. Failure to do so can result in legal action and financial penalties. Despite these rules, enforcement remains inconsistent, and many workers continue to face significant barriers when seeking support for mental health issues at work. The ongoing debate highlights the need for clearer guidelines and stronger oversight to ensure that employee well-being is treated as a priority across all sectors of the Spanish economy.
