Problemi e prospettive del telelavoro tra teoria e prassi

The main purpose of this research project was to investigate the reasons for the limited use of teleworking, particularly as a tool to reconcile employers’ and workers’ needs. After providing a review of teleworking in Italy in both the public and the private sector, the research focus concentrated on the analysis of one of the possible reasons causing teleworking to be poorly implemented: the old rules governing this form of employment. Teleworking is regulated by Article 4 of the Workers’ Statute, which was drafted in the 1970s, thus addressing different contexts and issues. The use of technological devices in teleworking is not intended to ease “workers’ ‘remote’ control”, but to allow them to carry out their tasks, an aspect which highlights the need for specific legislation. These theoretical considerations were followed by a review of some practical cases, which pointed out how social partners and employers are not yet ready to teleworking, as they have not understood its main principles. Most of the provisions in collective agreements, also those concluded at company level, seem to limit workers’ autonomy, thus neglecting the possible advantages for employers in terms of productivity, cost savings related to the use of facilities, and a reduction of absenteeism due to sickness. What emerges is a difficulty in moving on from the “command and control” model, which was widely implemented in the past. Employers are wary of change and do not trust their employees. A move away from this state of affairs is only possible if considerations on the duration of the task will be replaced by objective-based initiatives.