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. Maite del Castillo
Head of Human Resources

Derio Bidea, 28
MUNGIA (BIZKAIA)
Phone: +34 94 601 12 00
e-mail: info@arteche.es
www.arteche.es

PROCESS

Ever since the company first began trading, its Management has been incorporating the need for reconciling personal and family life and work through the negotiation of the company’s different wage bargaining agreements.

These measures are collected by the Social Department and the company’s General Services and then included in the corresponding wage agreement as improvements. They are also disclosed through the wage agreement itself and the company intranet.

MEASURES

Flexibility in the use of time

  • Staggered times for entering and leaving work that also apply to shift workers.
  • Option of morning work for women returning after maternity leave.
  • Longer lunch break: people may voluntarily choose to take a longer lunch break and finish later in the evening.
  • Uninterrupted working timetable every day of the week from 15 June to 15 September, finishing early in the afternoon.
  • Flexible lunch break: the scheduled time can be brought forward or put back.

Flexibility in the workplace

  • Option of working from home.

Leave and time off

  • Six calendar days for the death of a spouse.
  • Four calendar days for the death of an offspring. If this circumstance should require travelling more than 100 Km from the usual place of residence, this period will be extended by two calendar days.
  • Three calendar days for the death of a parent, either blood relations or in-laws, or of a grandparent. If this circumstance should require travelling more than 100 Km from the usual place of residence, this period will be extended by two calendar days.
  • Three calendar days for a serious illness or hospital admission of a spouse or offspring.
  • One calendar day for minor surgery (parent, sibling, spouse, or offspring).
  • Eighteen calendar days for marriage.
  • One calendar day for marriage of parents, offspring, or siblings by birth or marriage.
  • The time required for the arrangement of public documents, if the workday coincides with the opening or closing of the offices involved, during the period of coincidence.
  • Enough time to sit exams, attend official calls, or other exams on a first-time basis, including taking the driving test, as well as its renewal.
  • Enough time to keep an appointment with a medical specialist, with a maximum of five hours. If referred to another specialist during the afternoon, payment for the whole day upon presentation of the necessary proof.
  • Leave to attend summons made by official bodies with a limit of five hours, except in exceptional cases that need to be notified.
  • Attending the funerals of relatives other than those listed in sections "a", "b" y "c" in this article (referring to the wage bargaining agreement), with a limit of five hours, except in exceptional cases that need to be notified.
  • Common law partners registered before the corresponding time off, with confirmation of said status provided by the competent authority, will be subject to the same entitlement.
  • Five random days to be chosen freely at the employee’s discretion.
  • 31 calendar days of holiday to be taken at any time throughout the year, although preferably in August.

Other measures

  • Staff training is to be encouraged, provided it is related to the company’s business: recycling courses, higher education, Master’s degree, etc.
  • In-house language training every day from Monday to Thursday, in the morning and at midday.
  • Monthly payment under the item of family allowance for each child under the age of 18 under the responsibility of the employee.
  • Bonus payment for the birth of a child.
  • Bonus payment upon marriage.
  • Medical healthcare allowance: payment of 70% of the pre-agreed fees for specialists.
  • Support for sporting activities in the vicinity of the company through the onsite provision of lockers and showers.
  • There are two fully equipped canteens (fridges, freezers, microwaves, cupboards...).
  • Bus from Mungia at different times of the day for the sole use of the company’s employees.