In recent years, the reconciling work and family life has become a priority issue for both employees and companies. The need to balance professional life with personal responsibilities is an increasingly present demand in today's society.
In addition, to promote the reconciling work and family life is not just a question of social responsibility: is a smart strategy for building happier, more productive and engaged teams.. With appropriate measures, favourable legislation and tailor-made solutions, it is possible to move towards a more humane and sustainable model of work.
What is work-life balance?
The reconciliation of work and family life, also known as the work-life balance, refers to all those policies and measures that enable a person to reconcile his or her professional activity with his or her personal and family life. It is about building working environments that respect individual time and promote well-being.
Some examples of work-life balance can be:
- Days off for family matters
- Social benefits such as a childcare ticket for families with children under 3 years of age
In addition to improving the quality of life for employees, these measures promote the gender equality, This allows both of them to take on family responsibilities without limiting their professional development.
By facilitating access to the same opportunities, work-life balance contributes to a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable corporate culture. It also has a positive impact on motivation, reduces absenteeism and helps retain talent within the company.
Why implement a work-life balance policy in the company?
Having a work-life balance policy in place brings multiple benefits at company level. Among the most outstanding ones:
- Increased productivityEmployees who feel supported in their personal lives work more efficiently and with greater commitment.
- Reducing absenteeism and turnoverWork-life balance measures improve the work climate and reduce stress, which translates into less sick leave and greater stability in teams.
- Attracting and retaining talentOffering flexible working environments makes the company a more attractive place to work, especially for qualified profiles who value work-life balance.
- Promoting gender equalityWork-life balance allows for a more equal distribution of family responsibilities, enabling both men and women to have access to the same opportunities for professional growth.
- Improving corporate reputationCompanies that are committed to work-life balance are perceived as socially responsible, which reinforces their image both internally and externally.
- Regulatory complianceImplementing these policies helps to adapt to current legislation, such as the new Family Law, avoiding legal conflicts and strengthening the culture of compliance.
Law on the reconciliation of work and family life
In Spain, the law to promote the reconciliation of work and family life for workers is mainly articulated through the Workers' Statute and has been reinforced by various legislative reforms.
Among the main rights are the following:
- Adjustment of working hours without reduction in payFrom March 2019, any worker can request changes in the length, distribution or form of working time - including teleworking - without having to justify family burdens. This measure aims to ensure equal opportunities and a better work-life balance.
- Childbirth and childcare leave (maternity and paternity)16 paid weeks for both parents: uninterrupted for the mother; 4 weeks compulsory after birth and the rest to be taken before the child reaches one year of age, for the father.
- Breastfeeding leaveRight to be absent for one hour a day (or split into two half-hour periods) until the baby is 9 months old. It can also be accumulated in full days (usually 15 calendar days).
- Parental leave:
1) Up to 3 years in the event of the birth, adoption or fostering of children.
2) Up to 2 years for the care of family members up to the second degree of consanguinity.
- Reduced working hours:
1) Possible for the care of minors up to 12 years of age or dependent family members.
2) In cases of serious illness of a child, the reduction can be maintained until the age of 18.
3) It implies a proportional reduction in salary.
- Annual leaveLegal minimum of 22 working days per year (2.5 days per month worked), with the possibility of extension by collective agreement.
- Protection from dismissalThe exercise of any of these rights cannot be a cause for dismissal or sanction, which reinforces the legal certainty of workers who wish to reconcile.
Other practical measures to reconcile work and family life
In addition to the rights recognised by law, companies may apply complementary measures that promote a real work-life balance. Some of the most effective are:
- Granting additional paid leave days before the start of maternity leave, to facilitate rest and preparation before birth.
- Encourage teleworking or hybrid models on a regular basis., This allows for better management of time and family responsibilities.
- Implement intensive working hours, This is especially true in the summer months, allowing employees to concentrate their working hours into fewer hours per day without reducing productivity.
- Establish flexible remuneration schemes, The EU's tax incentives, which allow workers to spend part of their gross salary on services such as childcare, transport, training or health insurance, with effective tax benefits.
- Offering social benefits tailored to family needs, as childcare voucher, The following are some of the most important measures that can be taken in this area: care for dependants or emotional and psychological support programmes.
These actions, which are voluntary on the part of the company, contribute not only to improving the well-being of the workforce, but also to building talent loyalty and strengthening the organisational culture.
Edenred Guardería: a real solution for working families
At Edenred we believe that work-life balance should be within everyone's reach. That is why we offer Edenred Nursery, The new programme, a solution designed to help families cover the cost of childcare in the first years of life, one of the most demanding stages in terms of work-life balance.
Some of the reasons to implement Edenred Guardería in your company:
- The company improves its social benefits policy and promotes family welfare.
- The process is 100 % digital, flexible and easy to manage through Edenred Flex.
Thanks to this tool, many companies are already making it easier to reconciliation of work and family life in a tangible and effective way.
Discover how to implement this solution in your company!
