Flexible Working Hours in the Municipality of Bolzano

Good Practice

Efficiency

Flexible Working Hours in the Municipality of Bolzano

Since the early 2000s, the Municipality of Bolzano has experimented with flexibility and different working hours and working solutions.

Municipality of Bolzano

Italy

Local policy

POLICY OBJECTIVE

The main objective is to foster a healthier balance between professional and personal life, as well as increasing efficiency by offering employees the opportunity to work in an environment where they feel more motivated to do so.

CONTEXT

Since the early 2000s, the Municipality of Bolzano has experimented with flexibility and different working hours tailored to employees’ needs. During the years, solutions such as home office, smart working and extended flexibility during the summer period have been introduced within the administration to encourage a better work-life balance for our employees. On top of that, the monthly work distribution is an employee choice.

In the past years, the needs of workers themselves have changed. Many people,
especially after the pandemic, have decided to devote more time to activities
other than work (sports, friendships, leisure activities, and family). Reflecting this change in mindset, making public administration more flexible and appealing to job seekers is clearly a step in the right direction. At the same time, for the past five years, the city has undergone several structural changes and, consequently, the constant opening of new construction sites. This, combined with the strong tourist appeal that Bolzano is achieving, as well as the large influx of workers arriving from other neighbouring cities or even from outside the region, has led to a significant increase in traffic. This translates into greater stress for workers who need to commute to their place of work.

The combination of all these factors led the city to decide to take a further step and consult with some of the city’s spokespersons: trade representatives, service managers, different entities, etc. There was an agreement reached on the need for change in the city. As the municipality is the main authority in the city, it was decided to take the first step by reorganising its working hours in a way that would benefit both city employees and the broader city.

POLICY DESCRIPTION

Starting in January 2025, the city administration implemented a new best practice aimed at improving flexibility and work-life balance for employees. The project focuses on extending flexible working hours and providing more options for organising the working day, based on individual needs.

The first change concerns entry times: whereas previously employees could start their day at 7:30 a.m. onwards, the new arrangement allows them to begin as
early as 7:00 a.m. This offers an advantage to those who prefer working early hours or who wish to avoid commuting during peak traffic times, especially
school-related traffic congestion. Employees can now freely choose their starting time between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. in agreement with their office director or
service manager, to ensure continuity of service.

The second change expands the possibility for full-time employees (38hrs./week) of working half a day and finishing at lunchtime. Initially offered only on Fridays, this option is now extended to Mondays and Wednesdays as well. This means employees can occasionally schedule some free afternoons during the week, allowing them to dedicate more time to family, personal commitments, education, sports, or leisure activities. It also supports commuters who may avoid traffic, especially between 5 and 7 p.m., when most companies finish their workday.

The overall objective of the initiative is to provide employees with greater autonomy in managing their time. Balancing this with the need to maintain uninterrupted public services has been the most challenging part so far. At the end of the year, the project will be evaluated to identify possible adjustments in this direction.

KEY ASPECTS

When planning a big change within an administration, a try-and-fail approach is a good starting point. This project idea is the result of a successful 2-year trial conducted during summer seasons, when longer daylight hours encouraged employees to have an earlier start in the morning and the heath was too intense to work until late in the afternoons. The positive outcome of the trial led to the decision to make this option permanent throughout the year.

The policy is still a “work in progress”, and by the end of the year, different scenarios will be discussed to ensure a higher flexibility to access the workplace while guaranteeing citizens access to public services. On another level, the city is working on defining whether changes in opening and finishing hours of services and offices. Citizen habits have changed as well, so the entire framework needs evaluation.

RESULTS

The change of the working hours was planned for administrative employees working in offices/services with limited citizen contact and access. Approximately 215 employees were assigned the newly planned standard full-time working hours, with Monday and Wednesday afternoons’ flexibility addition. Another 150 with a previous agreement already managing afternoons’flexibility were included in the agreement to guarantee the morning flexibility as well. For all other employees, there is the possibility to request it directly with their superior (office director, service manager, etc.) to determine whether the working hours variation is compatible with their role and responsibilities.

In the first 8 months, 35 employees requested to be included in the agreement. In addition, 19 new hires have been assigned to one of the new time schedules. A more in-depth analysis of the results will be conducted before the end of the year to evaluate the project and make some adjustments.

Policy's Website

Sylvia

Profanter

Office Director

tempi.citta@comune.bolzano.it