Public administration makes its work organisation more flexible
Publikováno: 27 August 1998
In August 1998, new legislation was adopted on work organisation in Portugal's public administration, introducing new provisions on issues such as rest days, models of work and the roles attributed to the parties involved.
Download article in original language : PT9808194NPT.DOC
In August 1998, new legislation was adopted on work organisation in Portugal's public administration, introducing new provisions on issues such as rest days, models of work and the roles attributed to the parties involved.
For some time, a number of social partner organisations have been pressuring the Government to fulfill the 1996-9 tripartite Strategic Concertation Pact (Acordo de Concertação Estratégica, ACE) and modernise aspects of the public administration. Decree-Law no. 259/98 of 18 August 1998 on work organisation in the public administration has given effect to part of this objective. With the aim of helping the administration meet more fully the needs of citizens, changes introduced by the new law include:
a 35-hour working week;
introducing more flexible working patterns by separating working hours and public opening hours, so that services may open to the public at weekends or on public holidays when the occasion (eg trade fairs and exhibitions) merits it;
creating "goal-oriented" working systems with the possibility of using teleworking;
extending the use of part-time work;
giving managers responsibility for managing the models of work most suitable to the particular department's activity; and
increasing the participation by employees' representative organisations in preparing more flexible work schedules, through information and consultation.
Although there is no formal collective bargaining in the public administration in Portugal, all matters pertaining to employees have in fact been negotiated for years. The above innovations were already included in negotiations with the trade unions on the 1996 pay agreement and on medium and long-term commitments. The most innovative features are the possibility of opening public services on public holidays, part-time work, greater autonomy for managers in defining work organisation and informing and consulting the trade unions on the matter.
Eurofound doporučuje citovat tuto publikaci následujícím způsobem.
Eurofound (1998), Public administration makes its work organisation more flexible, article.
