- During the Lefebvre Labour Seminar, the leading experts in the field discussed new developments in labour regulations and practices in labour law, social security and employment, as well as on the use of artificial intelligence and various automation processes in the workplace.
- The main topic at the meeting was the presentation of the new UNE 19604 Standard on Socio-Labor Compliance, which will be rolled out in coming weeks.
Madrid, 21 June 2023. Lefebvre, a software provider and a leader in Spain in legal information has just held the "Lefebvre Labour Seminar:Compliance, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in the workplace", so that professionals can learn about the latest regulatory developments in labour law, self-employed workers, employment and Social Security.
The main topic at the meeting was the presentation of the new UNE 19604 Standard on Socio-Labour Compliance, in the public information phase until 25 June, which will be implemented in coming weeks. The UNE standard was developed by the Spanish Association for Standardization, UNE, with the support of Lefebvre and the participation of all the parties involved (law firms, consultancies, universities, syndicates, professional and labour associations).
This Standard lays out the requirements and recommendations for implementing an effective socio-labour compliance management system in all types of organizations, regardless of their size, nature or activity. The standard is certifiable by an independent third party, so that organizations that have a certified socio-labour compliance management system can improve their reputation and image on the market.
The standard applies to all areas of social and labour relations, except for occupational risk prevention, since there are already other standards that specify how to manage these specific risks.
Commitment to sustainable development
The session was attended by Juan Pujol, Chairman of Lefebvre; Mario Barros, member of the Labour Department at Uría Menéndez; Ana Gómez, president of ASNALA; and Pilar Menor, president of FORELAB. Pujol noted that "Lefebvre has backed the creation of this UNE Standard because it is consistent with our strategic commitment to the sustainable development of Spanish companies. Our aim is to activate knowledge for a more just, efficient and sustainable society".
The seminar continued with the presentation of the new Socio-Labour Compliance Standard during the round-table moderated by Jesús Mercader, Counsel of the Labour Law Department at Uría Menéndez and president of the UNE subcommittee that has drawn up the standard, and which featured Ester Alonso, Director of Labour Relations at Grupo Logista; Marta Fernández, secretary of UNE subcommittee CTN 165 SC7 Socio-Labour compliance; and Francisco Calderón, Director of Labour Relations at Grupo Santalucía. In his remarks, Jesús Mercader explained that a certification as per the UNE 19604 standard could constitute an element of evidence to demonstrate, before the Tax Administration or Courts, an organization's will to meet its socio-labour obligations, and thus avoid or reduce any sanctions imposed. Marta Fernández, meanwhile, agreed with Jesús Mercader that this new standard could provide the basis for a global standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
UNE is the only standardization organization in Spain By developing standards, it contributes to the shared progress of society and to building a safer, more sustainable and competitive world. UNE comprises over 500 members representing practically the whole of Spain's industrial network.
Compliance and artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace
Then, under the moderation of Dolores Carrascosa, an editor at Lefebvre, spoke Jesús Lahera, doctor of law, professor of Labour Law and Social Security at the Complutense University of Madrid and member of the ASNALA Board of Directors; Eva García, Head of the Legal Department of the General Treasury of the Social Security Office and member of ATASS; and José Mª Goerlich, a professor at the University of Valencia and a director of the Labour Law Department of Cuatrecasas. These experts reviewed the new developments in labour law regulations and practices involving Social Security, contracting, and other areas.
Taking part in the last panel of the afternoon were Raúl Boo, member of the Labour Department at Uría Menéndez, and José Manuel Mateo, Product Manager of R&D in the Lefebvre Sarrut group, who analysed how artificial intelligence and various automation processes are affecting the workplace, as they detailed various case studies of the Labour Inspectorate and the CC.OO. syndicate.
The Lefebvre Labour Seminar, which brought together more than 700 attendees online, was supported by Uría Menéndez in collaboration with ASNALA, FORELAB, ATASS and UNE.
