Italy: DHL Express experiments with smart working

A national framework agreement signed on 23 February by DHL Express Italy and the Filt-Cgil, Fit-Cisl and Uiltrasporti trade unions, sets out a smart working trial period that will start immediately after the national state of emergency ends on 31 March and will run from 01 April to 31 December 2022. From the 9,000 or so working directly or indirectly for DHL Express in Italy, these smart working arrangements will potentially concern around 2,000 (i.e., those whose activity is compatible with remote working, including both DHL employees and temporary agency employees). The agreement intends for remote working to be voluntary based. Employees will be able to work remotely for between 20% and 50% of their working hours (and up to 80% for Custom and CS Custom department workers). The employees concerned will receive training and will be able to carry out their activities from any location, provided the safety and security of the people, data and work tools can be guaranteed. Smart working hours will match ‘in presence’ working hours and they may only be modified at the request of the employee, and in agreement with the direct manager. The social partners will meet no later than November to evaluate the trial. The trade unions have welcomed what they see as an important agreement, which shows that remote working can be extended to the logistics sector. According to Nazzarena Franco, CEO of DHL Express Italy, the agreement “represents a pioneering example” for the company and for the country.