FWA IN TIMES OF PANDEMICS

AN APPROACH TO RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SPAIN

Abstract

At the beginning of the 21st century, Spain faces the great challenge of implementing new formulas for spatio-temporal flexibility. This paper summarises the empirical evidence supporting the double benefit of labour flexibility (organisations and workers) in European countries. On the one hand, organisations find an opportunity to stimulate their labour productivity, as well as to reduce costs in a broad sense. On the other hand, employees gain in terms of time management and work-life balance. In addition, the COVID-19 "natural experiment" has contributed to the promotion of teleworking (a driver of flexibility) with particularly positive results in terms of labour productivity. Despite this, the EWCS (Eurofound) data show a predominant lack of flexible working hours in southern European countries (particularly in Spain) compared to the north, as well as the link between the development of flexible formulas and labour productivity. Finally, our conclusions point out that in order to achieve the implementation of this win-win model (organisational and worker gains), Spain must overcome significant cultural resistance (presentist tradition and rigid schedule), promote the relevant agreements from our institutions, as well as the appropriate technological training of its workforces.