The Regulation on Working Time in State Administration Bodies (Official Gazette of the RS, No 115/07, 122/07 - corrected, 28/16 and 40/17) provides for a variable start of working time in government departments, ministries and their constituent bodies, and also allows the Head of State or another person authorised by him/her to set a different, variable start and end of working time for a civil servant.
I propose to change the staggered start of working time, with the start of working time between 7.00 and 9.00 a.m. and the end of working time between 3.00 and 5.30 p.m., or between 2.30 and 4.30 p.m. on Fridays.
The proposal merely reflects the life circumstances of the individual commuter staff member from the whole of Slovenia and in no way affects the working process itself.
In fact, a large number of staff members commute daily by private car from distant places all over Slovenia. In order to avoid the morning rush-hour of increased traffic towards LJ, we start our journey from home 30 or even 45 minutes earlier than the normal travel time outside rush-hour. This way, we arrive at work before 7:00. If we had not left earlier, our journey time would have been extended by at least 30 minutes. Traffic congestion problems start at Lukovica for employees from Štajerska, at Vrhnika for employees from Primorska, at Višnje hill for employees from Dolenjska and at Vodice and Medvode for employees from Gorenjska. As we arrive at our workplace now before 7.00 am and start work, these 30 minutes or more (about 2.5 hours per week) do not count as working time, so we cannot use these hours, nor are they paid.
The arrival at work as I am proposing has already been introduced in some ministries (their organisational units) and departments, on the basis of Article 4 of the above-mentioned Regulation. Flexible working hours as I am proposing, starting at 7.00 a.m., make it easier for the employee to balance work and family commitments (e.g. kindergartens, schools, etc.) and also have an impact on his/her psycho-physical state. The time spent in the car now could be spent on recreation, relaxation, socialising with family, etc. During the winter months, the impact on the psychological state of the individual is even greater, as we cannot spend our free time in daylight. Undoubtedly, quality time would have an even better impact on work performance and a positive working climate.
If the initiative is approved, there will be no change in the working hours for staff members who arrive later and wish to work later in the afternoon.
I am convinced that granting the request would not have any negative consequences for the working process, but rather that the positive psycho-physical state, the good working climate and the increased enthusiasm of the employees would have implicative effects that would only be beneficial for the employer and for all of us.