On Tuesday, February 21, UPCnet was honored with the “5th Barcelona Award for Innovative Companies in Work-Life Balance and Time Management” by the Barcelona City Council. This recognition highlights the People First! program, which we are implementing at both UPCnet and IThinkUPC to support the professional and personal development of our teams.

As part of our People First! program, we have introduced several initiatives, including intensive workdays during all school holidays, shorter workdays every Friday of the year, flexible start and finish times, weekly and monthly working hour calculations, and remote work options. Additionally, we have extended maternity leave by seven extra days and paternity leave by three extra days.

The General Director of UPCnet and IThinkUPC, Josep Maria Ciervo, received the award alongside Marina Ruiz, Director of Corporate Services, and Carme Ortolà, Head of Human Resources. Josep Maria Ciervo emphasized: “This award reinforces our belief that a 21st-century company aiming to attract and retain top talent must foster a work environment where professional and personal life are well balanced. For us, the flexibility we offer is reciprocated with responsibility and commitment from our employees.”

This award aims to publicly recognize the efforts of companies in Barcelona that implement innovative measures in time management, flexibility, and work-life balance, encompassing professional, family, personal, and social aspects.
The award ceremony was presided over by Barcelona’s mayor, Ada Colau, who stated: “It is encouraging to see that every year more companies are committed to work-life balance and shared responsibility. It is also reassuring to witness that the measures being implemented increasingly align with the needs of both women and men. In fact, many go beyond what is required by law and collective agreements, which are often insufficient.”