Work-life Balance and Equality for Employees in Geothermal Power Plants in an Operational and Social Context

Abstract

For people working in industry, long working days have been the norm, fulfilling perhaps to a larger degree needs of the industry rather than needs in society. Increasing focus on work-life balance in our society challenges a conventional view on shifts and working hours in the Icelandic power plant operations sector. Furthermore, voices in the modern western society demanding gender equality are getting stronger which results in a need for an adjustment of employers’ perspective. ON Power has been reassessing the company’s approach towards these aspects, particularly for power plant operations, thereby pioneering in promoting equality and showing social responsibility. In 2018, ON Power implemented shorter working days replacing a set-up where on-site staff had long workhours at the company’s power plants, including over-weekend shifts requiring presence on-site. By making this change and eliminating barriers, employees have increased opportunities for gaining work-life balance, allowing for equal participation in e.g. family life. This paper addresses some of the experiences of this modern approach to the operation of geothermal power plants in Iceland. Impact on operations and production are furthermore elaborated.