Chiara Bisconti: “At work, the obligation of fixed time and place creates unhappiness”

As the pandemic finally begins to recede, many questions are raised about the future of the world of work. One thing is clear to many of us: working as we did before the pandemic is no longer possible. In short, enough with companies that expect employees to be planted in the office 5 days out of 5 for eight hours a day. Enough of the senseless equation of presence equal productivity. Enough with the positioning of the work-life balance at the bottom of the priorities.

The workers know this, some companies maybe not yet. There is a lot to do, in short, and on several fronts. However, there are some innovations and those in the organizational and regulatory fields were at the center of the “La Vita Agile” conference organized by Better This and by the association Work & Welfare. Many personalities from the political, institutional, trade union and managerial worlds took part, including Chiara Biscontiin the past Councilor of the Municipality of Milan with responsibility for well-being and quality of life and today a consultant on the issues of agile work.

Bisconti, in Italy to have an acceleration towards agile work it took a pandemic; In your opinion, what elements of our work culture hinder the affirmation of this approach to professional everyday life?

«The culture of many Italian managers and entrepreneurs is still based on presence. Presence in the workplace is thought to be a guarantee of productivity in itself. To linger in the office is considered an act of self-denial, the amount of time worked is confused with the quality of the results produced. In reality, the compulsory presence hides inefficiencies and a great waste of time ».

What would you say to entrepreneurs who today, with the pandemic emergency (almost) over, claim to have employees back in the office every day for eight hours?
«Which is a senseless and risky claim for their companies. People have developed a new awareness: they have experienced a different way of working and they have seen that it is possible. Above all, they understood that in this way they are able to live and work better. Why should they give it up now? People are starting to leave their jobs if you are forced to always come back in presence ».

In your experience, what is the aspect that workers value most about agile work and, conversely, what they like least?
«Time regained. Without a doubt. People get tremendous relief from it. Getting back at the center of your life, finding new balance between work and personal life, recovering hours and hours of unnecessary travel. It is a huge plus. On the other hand, forced isolation in a pandemic was not appreciated; but that was work from home, not agile work which, let us remember, always includes the office ».

But does everyone like agile work or are there categories of workers who, although they can embrace it, prefer to stay in the office in traditional ways?
“There are no categories, but individuals who may have different needs and tastes. Someone may prefer to go to the office for reasons related to his home or simply out of habit. From experience I can say that everyone likes the flexibility of time and space, the ability to choose how to organize the work. It is the rigid obligation of time and fixed place that creates unhappiness ».

From a regulatory point of view, in Italy today, can agile work be requested and obtained by right by a worker?
«Until March 31, 2022 fragile workers (cancer patients, immunosuppressed and disabled with 104) have the right to agile work. With the end of the emergency period this right will lapse. In fact, agile work is an agreement between the employer and the person. From now on, companies will have to strive to find the best formula that respects the needs and well-being of their people “.

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