Spanish rulemakers propose more flexible working hours

Presenteeism is not really a Spanish thing, but certainly more flexible working hours would be welcome.

The fallacy that Spaniards are somewhat workshy was put to bed many years ago during the depths of the economic crisis as Brits, Germans and other Europeans welcomed hardworking but unemployed-at-home Spaniards to their shores.

Because in truth, Spaniards have always worked hard. In Spain, working hours are among the highest in Europe, as is productivity: when a Spaniard is at work, they work…

However, the slow-paced nature of change that hamstrings Spain’s labour laws and culture has seen the country fall behind others in terms of economic output, and Spain’s inflexible working hours have been targeted for blame.

There is certainly some nugget of truth in this. Besides Spain being about one-hour out of step with the rest of Europe, the country also tends to do things much later – start work, take lunch, finish work, dine, dance – than its European cousins.

And because this is “the way things have always been done”, changing that practice has been difficult. The mood, though, is shifting. Politicians on all sides agree that Spain could benefit from a more flexible working week, such as that enjoyed by workers in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and much of Scandinavia.

For things to change, there needs to be both a political and cultural will to push through the required policies, as seen with the introduction of the anti-smoking law, which, although not perfect, does appear to have taken root in much of the country.

According to polls, more flexible working hours are what most Spaniards want, and a campaign called Mamiconcilia has called for their introduction. “Politics should reflect society’s needs,” said campaigner Usue Madinaveitia. “It’s no longer taboo to admit you want things outside of work or that you are keen to spend time with your children.”

Another campaign on Change.org has garnered more than 289,000 signatures calling for small companies that introduce an uninterrupted workday and flexible schedule to receive incentives. The idea being that a flexible worker is a happy, more productive and more creative worker.

“Flexibility is more important than the actual time you clock out,” added Madniaveitia. “Your boss needs to understand that today something cropped up and you’ll be late but you’ll leave later – or not, because if you’ve finished what you need to get done, why be there?”

Possibly controversial, certainly, but her words have found an audience among politicians, who are keen to explore ways to alter the Spanish work culture and nurture a more northern European mindset, however alien that might seem to many Spaniards on the face of it.

The head of the largest employers’ confederation in Spain, the CEOE, has cautiously backed plans to introduce a 6pm clock-out time: “It doesn’t have to happen from one day to the next, but if we have it as a goal… I think it’s possible and positive for everyone.

“We all want more free time.”