73% of companies in Madrid offer their employees leave to care for dependent family members

The Complutense University has conducted and published the study “Work-life balance policies from the employer’s perspective: Problems and advantages for the company,” which shows that most employers in Madrid believe that implementing work-life balance measures in organizations provides significant benefits.

This study, one of the most comprehensive published to date on work-life balance, surveyed 228 human resources managers from companies operating in the Community of Madrid. For the study, information was collected on company size, the number of employees, the sector in which each company operates, access to work-life balance practices, and even the respondents’ views on their organizations’ corporate culture. Among other findings, the study reveals that most respondents say their companies implement work-life balance measures such as allowing employees to be absent from work in the event of a family emergency (96.4%), flexibility in scheduling vacations (92.89%), and leave to care for dependent persons (73.21%). In addition, more and more companies are scheduling meetings at times that facilitate work-life balance and offering flexibility in start and finish times.

Although implementing measures that promote work-life balance involves financial and organizational costs, it provides many benefits. The most highly valued include brand image (92.9%), an improved working environment (91.6%), talent retention (82%), reduced absenteeism (74.3%), and increased employee productivity and performance (78.4%). To achieve this, Alares works to develop services for groups and companies with the goal of achieving the best possible results in service delivery.

However, this study also sought to analyze the barriers that prevent companies from implementing work-life balance measures, as some sectors face significant difficulties in introducing these types of policies because of the nature of their activities or their working hours.