Good Practice

Working Time Structure

Temporary measures allowing earlier start and finish times during heatwaves. Outdoor workers are provided with additional breaks, shade, and drinking water.

Municipality of Bansko
Bulgaria
Local policy

 POLICY OBJECTIVE

  • Adaptation of working hours during heatwaves: ensuring the health and safety of employees through earlier shifts, additional breaks, and access to water.
  • Integration with sustainable urban strategies: expanding green areas, planting trees, creating shaded and “cool zones”, and improving energy efficiency in public buildings.
  • Strengthening community resilience: developing policies that combine climate adaptation, social inclusion, and sustainable urban planning.

 CONTEXT

Before introducing these policies, the Bansko Municipality, as a mountain region, had rarely faced the challenge of extreme heat. However, in recent years, rising summer temperatures and recurring heatwaves have started to affect both residents and municipal employees.

The main problems identified were:

  • Increased health risks for outdoor workers during peak heat hours.
  • Lack of preparedness of public spaces and buildings to provide sufficient cooling and shade.
  • Growing pressure on urban infrastructure and green areas due to climate-related stress.

The policy was therefore needed to ensure safe working conditions, strengthen social inclusion, and improve urban resilience in the face of climate change.

 POLICY DESCRIPTION

Adjustments in working hours are part of a wider strategy, including expanding green areas, planting trees for natural shade, maintaining parks, and creating “cool zones” in public spaces. The municipality also supports energy efficiency and cooling solutions in public buildings such as schools and kindergartens.

The policy has been developed through a set of coordinated activities aimed at adapting working conditions to extreme heat and enhancing the resilience of the municipality.

Main activities:

  • Adjustment of working hours: Earlier start and finish times during heatwaves; additional breaks and provision of water for outdoor staff.
  • Cooling and shading measures: Creation of “cool zones” in public spaces, planting of trees, and expansion of green areas to provide natural shade.
  • Mobility improvements: Better public transport connections to reduce travel time during extreme weather conditions.

 KEY ASPECTS

  • Stakeholder engagement: Cooperation with local employers, community organisations, and residents is essential to ensure flexible work arrangements and adherence to guidelines.
  • Data-driven approach: Monitoring temperature trends and gathering feedback from employees and residents allows the municipality to adjust schedules and public measures dynamically.
  • Infrastructure and green spaces: Investment in green infrastructure, shaded areas, and energy-efficient building retrofits is critical for long-term resilience.
  • Innovative elements: Integration of climate adaptation into municipal work schedules is a relatively new approach in mountain municipalities. Combining flexible working hours with urban cooling strategies (green spaces, shaded “cool zones”) ensures both health protection and environmental sustainability. Linking social inclusion with climate resilience highlights a holistic and forward-looking approach to public policy.

 RESULTS

  • Approximately 120 municipal employees have benefited from adjusted working hours and heat-adaptive schedules during the summer months.
  • Over 5,000 residents indirectly benefit from improved public spaces, shaded areas, and green infrastructure.
  • Flexible schedules and remote work options have positively impacted women with caregiving responsibilities and communities with long commuting times, improving work-life balance.

Policy's Website

Daniela

Pachedzhieva

Head Office Manager

d.pachedzhieva@bansko.bg
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