Summer 2025 alert: Companies won't be able to use this trick to shorten your vacation, according to a union advisory.

The arrival of the summer months usually marks the beginning of the vacation season. Many workers take advantage of the months of June, July, August, and September to enjoy a well-deserved rest . This is a right recognized in the Workers' Statute , which in Article 38 makes it clear that vacations must be granted regardless of any employer pressure.

"The period of paid annual leave, which cannot be replaced by financial compensation, will be as agreed in a collective bargaining agreement or individual contract. Under no circumstances will the duration be less than thirty calendar days ," it states.

In this regard, the USO (Union Sindical Obrera) union has reminded workers, through a video on its social media, that this is an inalienable right and, therefore, companies cannot prohibit their workers from taking vacations. And that includes a little trick : paying for vacations and working them instead of being able to take them.

As stated in the Workers' Statute, they cannot be replaced by financial compensation , and USO, in turn, also points out that "they cannot pay you instead of giving them to you," except in one very specific case: "if you leave the company."

If the company attempts to pay vacation time, the employee has the right to file a claim. Furthermore, the employee must be informed at least two months in advance of their vacation time, in order to have enough time to plan their vacation time.

How many vacation days do I have according to the law?

As stated in Article 38 of the Workers' Statute, under no circumstances will vacation time be less than 30 calendar days. It may be 22 working days if so specified in the collective agreement. This is an inalienable right that workers may enjoy, although the period will be set by mutual agreement between the employer and the employee, in accordance with the law.