Denbora erabiltzeko modu berriak
Nuevos usos del tiempo
Innovative Uses of Time

In recent years, Bilbao and Bizkaia have been undergoing major changes that have affected the population’s lifestyles and time management. Faced with this situation, the City Council of Bilbao and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia are supporting the creation of the NETWORK of AGENCIES in BILBAO and BIZKAIA, consisting of firms and organisations that are committed to the achievement of better time management and the reconciliation of work and family and personal life.

Our Network’s best practices

CONTACT PERSON:
Ms. Beatriz Fernandez
Head of Human Resources

Parque Comercial Megapark,
48902 Barakaldo (SPAIN)
Phone: 902 40 09 22
e-mail: beatriz.fernandez@ikea.com
www.ikea.com

PROCESS

Ever since the company first began operating, its management has been catering for its employees’ needs regarding the reconciliation of family and personal life and work through the sundry initiatives it has implemented. It holds an annual satisfaction survey that collects data on indicators related to reconciliation.

The results are collected by the Human Resources Department and used to shape the company’s policies, which are then disclosed through the intranet. There is an Equality Team.

MEASURES

Flexibility in the use of time

  • Staggered time for entering and leaving work each day, also applicable to shift workers.
  • Option of negotiating holiday times.
  • Option of agreeing upon the timetable in a manner that best suits employees returning to work after a maternity/paternity leave, with a reduction in the working day.
  • Uninterrupted workday, with just a short break for lunch.
  • Flexible timetable for lunch or breaks: the scheduled time may be brought forward or put back.
  • Flexibility when changing the timetable to attend to personal matters.
  • The following rules apply to the work schedule:
    - Scheduling of the work rota on a four-month basis, notified to all employees.
    - Two days off per week on average per year.
    - Part-time employees always work the same timetable, with no rotation.
    - People are notified on a yearly basis of their days off and holidays.
    - Extended weekends ("long quality" weekends).
    - 12 Saturdays off per year for full-time employees and seven for part-time.
    - Day off on 24 December or 31 December.

Flexibility in the workplace

  • Working from home for certain positions
  • Arrangements for videoconferencing, WeBex, etc…for avoiding travel and unnecessary displacements.

Leave and time off

  • Medical appointment: time off as required when coinciding with the working day.
  • Marriage: 15 calendar days leave + one day for the wedding.
  • Family wedding: one day for the wedding of a family member up to a second degree of blood relationship.
  • Accident of a family member: two days in the event of a serious accident or hospital admission of a family member up to a second degree of blood relationship or by marriage (extended to four days if there is a need to travel more than 300 km).
  • Serious illness or death of a family member: three days in the case of a serious illness diagnosed by a medical practitioner or death of a family member up to a second degree of blood relationship or by marriage. five days if there is a need to travel more than 300 km.
  • Unexpected medical emergency during the working day involving minors under the age of 14: six hours.
  • Exchange of contracts for the conveyance of residential property: one day for the signing, with presentation of written proof.
  • Academic exams: the time required to sit the final exams of official or academic studies.
  • Driving test: one day for taking the driving test, when taken for the first time.
  • Option of taking sick leave according to the provision for risk in pregnancy, which is always to be notified and fulfilled.

Other measures

  • Tax benefit….Staff training is encouraged provided it is related to the company’s business: recycling courses, languages, higher education, master’s degree, etc. Included within the Flexible Pay Plan, with tax rebates for employees.
  • In-house language training with different levels and times. English for managers and coordinators, and Basque for the entire workforce. To be held during the workday.
  • Onsite subsidised canteen: self-service, grill, fridges, freezers, microwaves, cupboards.... Free coffee and beverages.
  • Anniversary gifts after 10,15 and 25 years of service at IKEA. (cash, gifts and three extra days of holiday)
  • In 2015, all employees have been granted two more days of holiday.
  • Savings/pension plan co-funded by IKEA with 2/3 of the contribution.
  • Programme of Loyalty to the IKEA Group: Pension Plan set up by the IKEA Group for its employees with 100% of the contribution paid by the company.
  • Cash allowance for the birth of a child, and gift of a "Baby Kit" from the IKEA range.
  • Option of taking two months leave of absence for childcare, partly subsidised by IKEA, with an allowance.
  • Allowance for medical care: medical staff and nursing staff deployed onsite.
  • Special rates for medical insurance.
  • Subsidised physiotherapist: IKEA co-funds 2/3 of the pre-set fees for the treatments.