The Government is considering the introduction of a measure that will allow civil servants over 60 to access smart working. The goal is to make work more flexible for those who are close to retirement, improving the quality of working life and encouraging people to postpone the moment of retirement from the world of work. Let’s see the details of this proposal and how the new system would work
.
What does the Smart Working Proposal for Public Employees Over 60 provide
The proposal under discussion introduces a series of measures to facilitate older civil servants. Here are the main points:
- Greater flexibility: civil servants over 60 will be able to work in an agile mode, with the possibility of better managing their time between working from home and in the office.
- Specific training: training activities will be organized to prepare older workers for the use of digital technologies necessary for smart working.
- Work monitoring: systems will be introduced to monitor the productivity and efficiency of remote work, ensuring that administration objectives are achieved.
- Incentives for administrations: concessions will be provided for administrations that will adopt smart working policies for older employees, promoting agile work.
- Age management: specific regulations are expected to be introduced for “age management”, which will regulate agile work for older civil servants, protecting their rights and obligations.
The main objective of this measure is to reduce work stress, improve the general well-being of older workers and discourage access to early retirement, thus supporting the financial sustainability of the pension system.
Who Can Benefit from Smart Working for the Elderly
Priority will be given to civil servants over 60, but the proposal provides for a gradual extension also to those over 55, especially if they are close to retirement. The measure will be reserved for those who have accumulated a significant contribution amount or have already accrued the right to a pension, but choose to remain active in the world of
work.
How Smart Working Will Work for Older Public Employees
Smart working for senior civil servants will follow the guidelines already established by the Senior Decree 2024 for the private sector. This decree states that employers must:
- Create a work environment that promotes the well-being of older employees and enhances the skills acquired over the years.
- Ensure the safety of remote workers, with particular attention to health surveillance and risk assessment.
- Make individual agreements with employees to regulate agile ways of working.
Each Public Administration must adapt these guidelines to their needs, implementing specific individual agreements for employees over 60.
When Will the Measure Take Effect
The legislation will come into force starting in 2025, after the renewal of state contracts scheduled for 2024. Administrations will have to wait for an implementing regulation that will define in detail the methods of accessing smart working and the requirements to be able to access
it.
Smart Working in Public Administration Today
Currently, only fragile workers, i.e. those with special health conditions, caregivers and parents with minor children, can access smart working in the Public Administration. With the new proposal, older employees could be included among the beneficiaries.
The smart working proposal for older civil servants represents an important innovation in the world of public work. The goal is to ensure greater flexibility for those close to retirement, improving the quality of life and supporting the sustainability of the social security system. We are waiting for the final details that will be announced with the implementing regulation in 2025.