The organization of time: the emerging vector of inequalities in the labor market
The last two years have radically changed the world of work. We are witnessing an accelerated transformation in the organization of working time, in the ways of working and in people's attitudes towards work.
The possibilities offered by technology and the desire for a better work-life balance are the drivers of this change. Especially in sectors and profiles where the shortage of professionals favors a strong ability to negotiate greater autonomy and flexibility in decisions about when and where to work.
But in the face of the "office revolution" there are many sectors and activities that require presence and have schedules that are highly conditioned by the very nature of the service.
In order to delve deeper into the implications of this dual reality that is taking shape, on October 26th, within the framework of Time Uses Week, the NUST network organized a Round Table entitled "The organization of time: the emerging vector of inequalities in the labor market". The local business network of Bilbao DenBBora Sarea was invited to share its experiences.
On behalf of the NUST Network, Àngels Guiteras, from ABD and Laura Aguilera, from SOM Fundación, Manuel Vergara, from Bilbomática, and Miren Fernández, from Mutualia, were the referents of the DenBBora Network of Bilbao. Raquel Gil, Occupation Commissioner, moderated the debate.
The round table shared the different strategies to respond to this greater expectation of flexibility and demand for telework that has been generated and make it compatible with the requirements of the different services and the organization itself (cohesion and culture of the organization, knowledge management, respect for the right to digital disconnection, etc.).
The analysis of the possibilities of each of the services or, as Laura Aguilera of SOM Fundación explains, "of each of the workplaces to facilitate that part of the work content can be done from home" were some of the solutions pointed out.
Cohesion and equity among the different teams and professionals of the same company were another shared concern. The need to listen and be attentive to people's different preferences and needs - not everyone wants the same thing - were some of the guidelines pointed out.
In any case, with a view to the future and thinking about the implications of the labor market, Àngels Guiteras pointed out that "it is necessary to take into account the fact that people care services, presence and proximity are essential. In a context in which the demand for teleworking is important and will grow, in order not to create inequalities, presence must be valued more and paid more.
The roundtable concluded with a reflection on the benefits of being part of a network of companies that share the same concerns about time management.
Manuel Vergara pointed out that "the network allows you to share with companies that are quite different from each other", as well as "to share problems and solutions". Miren Fernández also highlighted the potential and value of these networks as "necessary interlocutors in the forums where decisions are made. Especially in times of accelerated changes and transformations such as the present moment".
