No way, José. Spaniards notch up more hours at work than many of their continental neighbours
It is a long-held stereotype, fanned recently by northern European suspicions about debt-laden Greece and Portugal. Spaniards – as southern Europeans – are lazy, siesta-taking knock-off-early types, aren't they?
No. Figures for hours worked show Spaniards keep their nose to the grindstone every day far longer than, say, the Dutch or Germans. Their 1,775 hours in the office each month are above the EU average, and way ahead of Holland's 1,413 and Germany's 1,432.
Spanish firms are open for business, on average, an extra hour for every 25 hours of their European competitors.
The problem is what people do when they get to work. Office culture keeps many chained to their desk because it is frowned upon to leave before the boss.
Productivity is poor, with 41% missing their daily objectives, but improves when companies relax old-fashioned, rigid, working hours. Part-time working is rare, and some firms still have two-hour lunch breaks, which can mean people do not leave the work place until 7pm.
Keeping up with the schedule reduces hours for sleeping, as most workers leap out of bed at about 6am. The real problem Spaniards have with their working hours is the damage done to family life.