Traveling to Barcelona for Time Management Research
427 Words
The global shift towards remote work, which was previously an average practice of 11.6% in Europe, has become a necessity due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. This new work arrangement could prove a strategic tool for better time management and the fostering of social innovation, providing benefits for individuals and societies even after the crisis has subsided. Time, regarded as the most valuable resource and a key indicator of productivity, has long been a focus of government policies.
Barcelona, a region known for its Mediterranean work culture that often lacks support for work-life balance, has shown significant progress in addressing this issue. The city, host of the 43rd International Conference on Time Use Research (IATUR) in 2021, has also sparked interest from other regions, including Lombardy.
The Time Pact is one project designed to promote work-life balance and create a more efficient, equitable, and healthy society. This shared vision with associations and businesses is materialized in 57 concrete actions, divided between the city and public and private organizations. Measures range from providing extra-curricular support for working parents to extending the hours of clinics, museums, and public services. Additionally, creating company spaces for lunch breaks and encouraging business networks to support remote work are part of the plan (as mentioned in a recent survey, 92% of Spaniards have never worked remotely).
The unique Spanish work habits, including extended breaks and lower productivity, are driving a reevaluation of services and time culture, aiming to improve the quality of life for citizens and boost competitiveness at all levels. "[Our project] started in 2014, but we began influencing the lifestyle of residents as early as 2004," said Marta Aguilar Garcia of Barcelona Activa, a center for innovation that serves institutions, entrepreneurs, and startups.
In addressing the challenges of work-life balance and societal efficiency, Barcelona seeks to improve time management, promote work-life balance initiatives, establish an efficient society framework, and involve the community in shaping policies. While "The Time Pact project" is not specifically mentioned, these objectives and actions demonstrate the city's broader commitment to enhancing work-life balance and fostering a more efficient society.
Other regions, like Lombardy, could follow Barcelona's lead in promoting workplace-wellness initiatives, such as the Time Pact, which aims to create a more efficient, equitable, and health-and-wellness focused society. This project involves both public and private organizations, offering measures such as extra-curricular support for working parents and extended hours for clinics, museums, and public services, among other actions.
