International Line Implements 40-Hour Workweek Ahead of Legal Requirements
Committed to promoting work-life balance for its employees, International Line, a freight forwarding leader in Chile with 24 years of experience, adopted a 40-hour workweek before it became a legal requirement. “We wanted to ensure our team achieved a healthy balance between work and personal life even before legislation mandated it. Anticipating this change allowed us to demonstrate our commitment to employee well-being and position ourselves as a progressive company that values its team,” said Sergio Saavedra, Human Resources Lead at the company.
This initiative has brought significant benefits to both the organization and its employees. “For the company, it has increased productivity, improved talent retention, and strengthened our reputation as a responsible employer. For employees, it has provided better work-life balance, reduced stress and burnout, offered greater flexibility, and boosted job satisfaction. Overall, this initiative has enhanced the general well-being of both our company and our staff,” Saavedra emphasized.
To successfully implement the 40-hour workweek, International Line took several concrete steps. First, the company conducted a detailed review of existing work schedules and adjusted working hours to ensure they did not exceed 40 hours per week. Additionally, tasks were equitably distributed by reviewing each employee’s workload and redistributing tasks as needed to meet the required hours without compromising productivity.
The company also optimized its processes by identifying areas for improvement to increase efficiency and reduce the time spent on specific tasks, ensuring compliance with the new policy while maintaining work quality.
Finally, flexible scheduling was introduced, allowing employees to adjust their work hours based on personal needs, as long as the 40-hour weekly limit was met. Managers and employees received training on the importance of the new policy and guidance on how to adapt effectively.
“Our company has been functioning very well since implementing the 40-hour workweek. We’ve observed numerous benefits, including increased productivity, greater employee engagement, improved talent retention, and reduced absenteeism. This initiative has been a positive change for the organization,” concluded Sergio Saavedra.
