The current landscape of smart working in Italy
Smart working in Italy experienced exponential growth during the pandemic, but in 2024 it stabilized with about 3.55 million remote workers, a slight drop compared to 3.58 million in 2023. According to the Smart Working Observatory of the Politecnico di Milano, a recovery is expected in 2025, with an increase of 5% that would bring the number to 3.75 million. This scenario highlights how flexible working has become an integral part of Italian work culture
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Worker preferences and business challenges
A crucial aspect that emerged from the research is the strong opposition of workers to the possibility of losing their remote work: 73% of smart workers would oppose this change. In particular, 27% would seriously consider changing jobs, while 46% would try to convince their employer to maintain this flexibility. Companies, therefore, face the challenge of balancing productivity needs with those for employee well-being
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The impact of large companies and SMEs
The phenomenon of smart working is particularly evident in large companies, where almost 2 million workers are involved, representing an increase of 1.6% compared to the previous year. However, there is a decline in SMEs, with 520,000 remote workers, down from 570,000 in 2023. This gap highlights the need to rethink flexible work policies in small and medium-sized enterprises, which often struggle to implement effective smart working practices
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The role of managers and the renovation of workspaces
The research highlights the importance of the role of managers in the adoption and effective use of smart working. In large companies, 53% of managers are seen as promoting these initiatives, while in SMEs and the public sector this percentage drops to 27% and 35% respectively. In addition, 78% of large companies have begun to rethink workspaces, creating flexible and reconfigurable environments, a fundamental step in attracting and
retaining talent.
Towards a sustainable and inclusive future
Finally, the sustainability of workspaces represents a growing challenge. Only 40% of large companies have adopted sustainable furniture, while 63% have implemented systems to optimize energy consumption. The short week, although still not very common, is gaining interest, suggesting a change in work expectations. International smart working emerges as an opportunity for companies to attract talent globally, with 29% of large companies already active in this field
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