What Is a “Hombre Bueno” in Spanish Labour Conciliation?

In Spanish labour law, a “hombre bueno” (literally “good man”) is a neutral, trusted third party who can participate in a conciliation proceeding between a worker and an employer, usually before going to court.

🟢 What is their role?

The "hombre bueno" acts as a voluntary mediator, offering fair, balanced proposals to help both parties reach an agreement. This figure is typically respected, impartial, and has experience in labour matters.

⚖️ Are their decisions binding?

No. Their recommendations are not legally binding, but if both parties accept them, the resulting agreement has full legal validity and avoids litigation.

🤝 When is it used?

The involvement of a "hombre bueno" is optional, and requires mutual consent. It is especially useful when parties wish to settle the dispute in a more human, informal and constructive manner.

At our firm, we believe in dialogue, transparency and fair mediation. If you're facing a workplace conflict in Spain, we can guide you through the conciliation process — and when appropriate, help propose or request a "hombre bueno" to help achieve a just resolution.

📩 Contact us if you’d like to know more: mm@mtcspain.com