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UPDATE

Teleworking: six years and a crisis by Milena Radoman

Today, telecommuting has become commonplace. Big companies have adopted it.

When the law governing teleworking was employer who fixes the days
approved in 2016, the Monégasque authorities that can be teleworked within
were very optimistic. They were counting on the framework. Amongst
recourse to this new way of working for between employees, the demands
500 and 5,000 employees (so between 1 and are also very variable. Some
10% of all employees), and for between 7,000 people like Wednesdays so
and 10,000 medium-term contracts (between they can have lunch with
18 and 26%, corresponding to the European their children – but others
average). It was ultimately an unexpected event, absolutely not,” says Pascale
a health crisis of unprecedented magnitude, Pallanca with a smile.
which accelerated the adoption of working This may, however, be just the
from home. Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, beginning of an acceleration:
more than 10,000 of the Principality’s workforce “Many companies have
started working from home 100% of the time decided to take the plunge
from March 2020 in an exceptional remote after the Covid experience.
working system introduced by the government Demands are increasing
to limit the spread of the virus and avoid the steadily and this modified
mixing of people in the office and on public way of working from home
transport. “Covid has completely changed will boost the workforce.” If
the game. 10,000 people working from home today 80% of employees who
overnight was unthinkable in any other context!” have signed a teleworking
recalls Pascale Pallanca, Director of the Labour contract reside in France, © OMT
Inspectorate, according to whom the crisis a new bilateral agreement Yohann Jaffrelot, spécialiste du télétravail, Direction du Travail
has changed minds and upset assumptions. signed with Italy in May 2021,
“Employers who felt it was not for them realised after more than five years of discussions, will considerable advantage for the employee,
that their staff were playing along and even allow Italian employees in the Principality to saving time (journeys, traffic jams), boosting
out-did themselves in this way of working. For benefit from the same system. “This agreement efficiency (fewer interruptions) and reducing
fear that their company would close or they lays down the principle that teleworkers residing stress. This grants greater autonomy at work
would lose their jobs, employees have shown in Italy can be subject to Monégasque social and a better balance between personal and
great flexibility and commitment,” analyses legislation for the entire duration of their professional life. Companies, on the other hand,
Yohann Jaffrelot, the Labour Inspectorate’s activity as teleworkers on behalf of a company make substantial savings (lighting, electricity
teleworking specialist. established on the territory of the Principality,” etc) and can reduce the surface area of their
indicates the Monaco government. “The bill was premises and/or increase their hiring capacity,”
Covid booster tabled by the Italian government in December according to Pascale Pallanca and Yohann
The exceptional measures for teleworking, 2021. We have already had requests from Jaffrelot - provided of course that they avoid
renewed several times during the pandemic, companies for Italian workers. There was a fear the pitfalls of hyper-connection and consequent
have been extended to the 31 of May. Today of seeing remote work stop, not being able to overwork and, for bosses, mistrust and intrusive
st
“real” teleworking, which follows a specific switch to a legal regime. With the agreement, control. Some employers do indeed use more
framework (maximum three days per week, new there is no longer any problem of affiliation or less legal tools to ensure that their staff are
work permit etc – please see our article What to the Monégasque funds provided for by the working despite the distance.
The Law Says) “concerns 120 companies and terms of the agreement,” says Pascale Pallanca. For the state, “teleworking is very interesting
2,216 employees living in Monaco or France (50% both economically and environmentally. The
men and 50% women), particularly in finance, Incentive for job candidates prospects for job creation and, therefore,
which is the number one sector, shipping, Teleworking is, therefore, on the rise. “Now it higher social security contributions, should
digital and consulting firms. The oil sector has even become a hiring argument. Some secure the balance of the accounts of our
is also well represented with SBM Offshore employers tell us that candidates come to social funds; and by making it possible
Monaco, whose employees represent a little them because they have set up this way of to reduce the daily travel of employees to
less than half of all telework employees,” adds working and are ready to accept a lower salary, Monaco, it will also help to streamline traffic
the Labour Inspectorate Director, specifying that in the face of a competitor who refuses to,” conditions, for access to the Principality,” the
“most employees telework one to two days a emphasises Yohann Jaffrelot. The arguments rapporteur for the law, Jean-Charles Allavena,
week.” Which ones? “It’s very variable. It is the in favour of teleworking are classic: “It is a was already hoping in 2016.

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