Starting from 2024, smart working in the Public Administration (PA) is regulated by new directives that offer greater flexibility. In particular, the Ministry’s provisions provide for agile working methods for civil servants, with special attention for fragile workers and other categories. In this guide, we discover how smart working works in public administration, what’s new and what’s changing operationally
.
Table of Contents:
Who Can Take Advantage of Smart Working in the PA in 2024
From 2024, Public Administration workers who are in particular health or family conditions can apply for smart working. Priority categories include
:
- Fragile workers, suffering from particular diseases.
- Parents of minor children.
- Caregivers, i.e. those who care for people with disabilities.
The granting of smart working is at the discretion of the manager in charge of the office to which they belong, who decides based on organizational needs and the characteristics of the work carried out. The ministerial directive and the national collective labor agreements (CCNL) under renewal, allow greater flexibility for these categories of
workers.
Fragile Workers in the Public Administration
Fragile workers have a priority in accessing smart working. To be considered as such, they must be affected by specific pathologies, identified by Decree-Law No. 221 of 24 December 2021, which defines the criteria for being among the “frail”. In these cases, smart working is guaranteed with a simplified procedure
.
How Smart Working Changes in Public Administration from 2024
With the new rules of 2024, smart working in the Public Administration offers greater flexibility. The Ministerial Directive of 29 December 2023 allows employees with complex personal or family situations to request agile work, even derogating from the principle of the prevalence of physical
presence.
However, the final decision remains in the hands of the manager, who can enter into individual agreements to ensure the proper performance of work duties. Public administrations are also required to respect certain priorities in assigning smart working, established by the Work-Life Balance Decree
:
- Parents with children up to 12 years old.
- Parents with disabled children, with no age limit.
- Caregivers, who care for family members with disabilities.
How to Apply for Smart Working in the Public Administration
To request access to smart working, the employee must submit a formal request to their office manager or personnel manager. Subsequently, an individual agreement is drawn up that establishes terms and methods of carrying out agile work
.
Some PAs may provide specific forms for the request, adapted to the needs of the Institution. Once completed, the form must be delivered according to the instructions provided by the Public Administration
.
Extension of Smart Working in the Public Administration
Starting from 2024, there are no extraordinary extensions for smart working in the PA, but the Ministerial Directive makes this mode of work structural for certain subjects. Agile work is therefore permanently accessible to those entitled to it, subject to approval by the manager.
When Will Smart Working for Public Employees End?
Smart working in the Public Administration does not have an expiration date. The new rules state that agile work is accessible to those entitled to it based on specific conditions and individual agreements. Therefore, civil servants will be able to continue to request smart working, compatible with the needs of their office
.
When does the Smart Working Directive come into force in the PA
The Ministerial Directive on Smart Working in the PA came into force on January 1, 2024. Administrations are required to adapt their internal provisions to immediately apply the Directive and allow employees to access agile work
.
Smart working in the Public Administration was made more flexible in 2024 thanks to new rules that facilitate access for fragile workers and other categories. The possibility of working remotely is now regulated by individual agreements, with particular attention to the organizational needs of the PA and the personal situations of the employees
.
