1. 1 Introduction The research study named STRA.D.A., along the lines of Cassiopea Now project launched in 2000, falls within the framework of a project aimed at conciliation policies, meaning “opportunities to improve the organisational structure”. This research study is aimed at taking a snapshot of present-day organisation in order to encourage the definition of organisational policies and strategies and the development of a business plan to enhance human resources in general and women in particular. The main goals of this research include concrete guidelines to support conciliation procedures, meaning the ability to strike a balance between professional and personal life, and the definition of useful organisational behaviours to guide vocational choices.

2. 2 CONCILIATION SOLUTIONS  Flexible working hours : Postponing clock-in or anticipating clock-out hours. Both solutions could also be adopted. Postponing clock-in or anticipating clock-out hours. Both solutions could also be adopted. The main benefits include relieving the congestion of spaces, encouraging self-organisation, redistributing the workload, facilitating continuing learning and updating. The main benefits include relieving the congestion of spaces, encouraging self-organisation, redistributing the workload, facilitating continuing learning and updating. Some possible solutions aimed at conciliation include:

3. 3 CONCILIATION SOLUTIONS  A time bank: it is a system whereby people mutually exchange activities, services and knowledge. Anybody who joins this service must specify the activities and/or services that he/she is willing to carry out or provide, thus gaining access to a personal current account, just like any other ordinary bank, where hours are deposited instead of money. The credits gained according to the number of hours dedicated to this service could be spent in exchange for other services. Within the Time Bank, however, it is not necessary to return a service to the person that had provided it in the first place: it is an open system where no specific debts are recorded. Those who exchange something provide a very valuable service: they release time.

4. 4 Organisational solutions: part-time jobs part-time jobs: Part-time jobs envisage shorter working hours compared with collective labour agreements and can be open-term or fixed-term.  Horizontal part-time (activities carried out on a daily basis with reduced working hours);  Vertical part-time (activities carried out in some days of the week with full-time or reduced working hours);  Cyclical part-time (activities carried out only in some weeks or months of the year with full-time or reduced working hours, usually involving seasonal workers). The reaction to this organisational solution is somewhat controversial. According to some, it facilitates conciliation, especially with one’s personal life, and does not undermine the opportunity to grow professionally.

5. 5 Organisational solutions: job sharing  Job-sharing: A single job is shared by two or more people and the salary paid amounts to that of a single worker, and is then distributed according to working hours. Job sharers agree independently on the distribution of working hours, that is why it is important to be on the same wavelength. A single job is shared by two or more people and the salary paid amounts to that of a single worker, and is then distributed according to working hours. Job sharers agree independently on the distribution of working hours, that is why it is important to be on the same wavelength.

6. 6 Organisational solutions: telework Telework: This type of work organisation takes advantage of information technology for vocational purposes, since traditionally in-company professional activities are carried out outside corporate premises (usually at home). According to some, especially women, this solution would undermine one’s self-fulfilment thus mingling personal life with professional life.

7. 7 Services and benefits  agreements with public and/or private services offering solutions in the field of care and assistance (kindergartens, assistance centres, …) and entertainment (hotels, fitness centres, …).

8. 8 Other solutions... The re-distribution of workload among several people, thanks to flexibility and conciliation The re-distribution of workload among several people, thanks to flexibility and conciliation Reduced working hours, for example from 36 to 34 hours, whereby comparable results could be obtained and leaving more free time to workers Reduced working hours, for example from 36 to 34 hours, whereby comparable results could be obtained and leaving more free time to workers Fewer individual responsibilities, by encouraging interchange and innovative recruitment policies, as well as tutoring, proxies, empowerment and, above all, team work. Fewer individual responsibilities, by encouraging interchange and innovative recruitment policies, as well as tutoring, proxies, empowerment and, above all, team work.