mind RH study – French large groups have not cut back on the frequency of teleworking since 2020 National industrial relations In recent months, the first generation of post-lockdown agreements on telework have come up for renegotiation. More than four years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, are companies backtracking on the number of days granted? Mind RH has compiled and analysed 225 agreements from France's largest companies, signed between 2020 and 2023. Our study confirms the average maximum telework allowance of two days per week but significant differences emerge between sectors.
France: Biomérieux signs new teleworking agreement National industrial relations On 10 April 2024, the chemical company, which has 4,000 employees, and the trade unions signed a teleworking agreement, renewing that signed in 2021.…
Réglementaire EU: first phase of consultation with social partners over telework and right to disconnect launched European legislation On 30 April, the European Commission launched the first phase of consultation with the social partners with a view to potential European legislation on telework. In the document sent to the social partners, Brussels outlines the initial ideas for a European framework that could include, in addition to the right to disconnect, the coverage of costs and the prevention of health risks associated with teleworking.
France: Publicis regulates teleworking without rolling back this right National industrial relations Publicis chief executive Arthur Sadoun signalled a return to the office for the communications group's staff in statements to the media in autumn last year, however the firm struck an agreement in November that maintains the existing rhythm of two days of teleworking per week. The text, signed by a majority of the unions more than three and a half years after the start of Covid-19, provides a framework for a decentralised group and grants new rights to disabled employees, carers and pregnant women. The company's HR director discusses the implementation of this framework with mind RH.
EU: over 8 in 10 employees say they have received emails outside working hours (study) Quality of life at work The right to disconnect does not prevent workers from being contacted outside working hours and responding to requests. These are the findings of a Eurofound survey of employees in the European Union, supplemented by interviews with HR managers in four countries (Belgium, France, Italy and Spain).
Réglementaire EU: negotiations over framework agreement on telework terminated Transnational industrial relations After giving themselves two weeks to reflect and agree on a compromise, European social partners formally terminated negotiations on 9 November, one year after they began. The unions are blaming the attitude displayed by the employers' side, even though the social partners had agreed on the principle of a negotiated directive on telework and the right to disconnect.
Réglementaire Portugal: the amount of exempted monthly teleworking expenses is set at €22 National legislation On 18 September 2023 Portugal’s government issued an ordinance setting the limit for tax- and social security-exempt allowances paid by companies to teleworkers.…
Réglementaire Luxembourg: introduction of new family leave periods for employees National legislation During the summer 2023 two laws were published in Luxembourg's Official Gazette aimed at facilitating employees’ work-life balance. Specifically, two new leave entitlements for employees assisting family members have been introduced alongside additional opportunities for flexible working. The right to a leave period on the birth of a child has also been extended to the person being recognised as the second parent.
Great Britain: Tesco makes flexible working available to staff as of their first day of employment Recruitment/Employer branding/employee loyalty Since 03 August 2023, new employees of supermarket giant Tesco have been able to apply for flexible working right from their first day of work. Prior to this staff had to complete the statutory 26 weeks of contractual work before being eligible for this opportunity.
Chile: draft legislation introduces hybrid work for parents and carers National legislation On 17 July, and with a view to securing prompt adoption, the bill aimed at improving work-life balance,…