To raise efficiency, it would be worth considering the initiatives being discussed elsewhere in Europe on the possible shortening of the work week while maintaining the volume of work unchanged, as LETA was told by Chairman of Latvian Free Trade Unions Association (LBAS) Egīls Baldzēns.
“There are situations when employers are interested in seeing their employees working with maximum output, but it doesn’t mean we absolutely need a 40-hour week,” said Baldzēns.
This could motivate and mobilise employees to do their jobs in a shorter period of time while also providing them more time for rest, he allowed.
Baldzēns said people should not get too carried away with remote work, but even work in person does not necessarily guarantee higher efficiency.
According to him, it is more important to organising work more efficiently, not focusing solely on the format.
Baldzēns stressed opinions and situations differ. However, the most important factor is the result and monitoring to ensure remote work opportunities are used in good faith.
“We can limit remote work in areas in which the employer agrees to do it,” said Baldzēns.
According to him, the idea to switch more to work in person in the state sector is good, because there are many people in Latvia who believe government workers don’t work full-time and to their maximum capacity.
At the same time, the head of LBAS says he does not agree with this statement, explaining that this may be about several select cases and does not apply to the entire government sector.
Baldzēns stressed that the advantage of remote meetings of Saeima committees is that participants can connect while being abroad, for example. This allows them to remain “in the loop”.
“A hybrid variant for meetings is valuable, but presence in person is always better, clearer and cleaner – but it is more difficult to ensure all the time,” said the head of LBAS.
A lot also depends on the self-discipline and family situation of employees, such as whether or not they have small children in need of constant care and supervision.
As previously reported, on Tuesday, after meeting with Saeima speaker Daiga Mieriņa, President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs said the time has come for the government sector to return to work in person.
The Saeima speaker agreed that there are ongoing discussions about the organisation of work done by the parliament and internal cooperation. According to her, it is necessary to hold a discussion in the Saeima. For now, she plans to initiate a discussion with faction leaders to discuss related matters.
When asked, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said work in person should be the norm in the state sector.
At the same time, the PM said the solution to this problem is still “not on the table”, because the consequence of Covid-19 is that many people in various institutions now work predominantly remotely.
“The norm should be work in person, and then we can start looking for solutions for families with small children,” said Siliņa, adding that demographic changes and family affairs are on the list of the government’s priorities.