Uses of Time

The virtual debate on the right to digital disconnection in companies was held on November 26 as part of Time Use Week 2020, the 7th Schedule Week, organized by the Barcelona Time Use Initiative for a Healthy Society, with the collaboration of the Barcelona City Council, the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Diputació de Barcelona and the Área Metropolitana de Barcelona.

Sonia Ruiz, Director of Gender Services and Weather Policies of Barcelona City Council, welcomed and stated that it is an unprecedented moment in terms of virtualization of work and life. There is uncertainty and risk, but also possibilities and opportunities. He recalled that Barcelona City Council is in the process of drafting the Digital Rights Charter, which is being carried out through a public consultation in which it invites participation.

He highlighted the importance of digital disconnection but recalled that there is still a deep inequality in terms of digital connection and disconnection. That is why when implementing digital disconnection, various variables should be considered, such as gender, economic resources, origin, time and distribution.

During the debate, the three companies NUST Criteria, Henkel Ibérica and creaRSA agreed that digital disconnection is beneficial for both workers and organizations: it improves productivity, reduces absenteeism, increases the quality of work, improves the brand company, promotes conciliation, reduces stress and improves the sleep and rest of working people.

It is also important that digital disconnection is an initiative shared by both the management of companies or organizations and working people. They emphasize the importance of training and awareness for this purpose.

For more details on the interventions in the debate, see the attached links.