While some media outlets have interpreted Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s recent announcement that he would return the country to business hours that are more in line with the rest of Europe as a pledge to do away with siestas, his intention is actually to encourage work-life balance. Today, a typical Spanish household includes two parents working full time. The working day generally begins at 8:30am, includes lengthy commutes, a one or two-hour lunch break and typically ends around 8pm, leading to late nights and less sleep. Rajoy has said that he will work to end the workday at 6pm.

(Source: Harvard Business Review)

Published in Dawn, Business & Finance weekly, May 2nd, 2016