This represented a radical change in the way people approach work, with an increase in 'smart workers' since 2019 of about ten times.
This radical transformation has redefined the concept of work, also thanks to the multitude of advantages it brings to both companies and employees. Smart working, in fact, also known as "agile work," goes beyond the rules of traditional work by offering the opportunity to work remotely using modern technologies. The need to be physically present in the office becomes a memory of the past, and this consequently leads to greater flexibility and higher levels of satisfaction. It should be kept in mind that when talking about remote work, it is not simply limited to working from home. Employees have the possibility to explore alternative locations such as, for example, co-working spaces, which foster productivity and their creativity.
Below we will list some of the indisputable advantages of this way of working, focusing on interesting data.
The dream of a flexible lifestyle
One of the most evident advantages of agile work is, as the name suggests, the flexibility it offers. People can organize their days based on personal and work needs, creating a harmonious balance between work and private life, which once seemed like only an unattainable dream.Just think of the hectic cities, where traffic jams and congestion are a daily occurrence. Thanks to the possibility of working from home, this inconvenience can become a memory of the past, allowing for precious time savings and a significant reduction in stress due to constant commuting.
According to the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (2020), smart working has reduced daily travel time by about an hour and a half, saving as many as 46 million kilometers and reducing CO2 emissions by up to 8 thousand tons. This daily advantage leads to a total annual fuel saving of about four million euros.
Increasing productivity and improving mental health thanks to smart working
By creating a personalized work environment, agile work allows for new levels of productivity to be reached. It also plays a crucial role in improving the mental health of employees. The flexibility it offers creates a harmonious balance between work requirements and much-needed moments of rest and relaxation. This balance significantly reduces stress levels, making people happier and healthier. A survey conducted by Google Workspace in 2021 found that 83% of workers believe they can be productive working flexibly. The numbers are indicative: hybrid work and smart working can improve employee satisfaction, reduce burnout and staff turnover, and foster productivity.
Finding the right balance: employer controls
Naturally, employers also have their concerns when it comes to remote work. Implementing control mechanisms to supervise smart working activities is fundamental, but it is essential to find the right balance between performance monitoring and respect for employee privacy. To find an appropriate agreement, employers can set clear goals, monitor activities on digital platforms, and evaluate performance to ensure correct work management.
Smart working: regulations
In Italy, smart working is regulated by Law no. 81 of May 22, 2017. To formalize remote work agreements, the employer and the worker must agree in writing, specifying the working methods, objectives, and health and safety protection measures for workers. Remote work days are considered ordinary working days, guaranteeing those who work the usual daily and weekly rest periods. An important concept not to forget is the right to "disconnect".
During this period, one is required to disconnect completely from work devices, thus guaranteeing the due daily and weekly rest.In summary, agile work is a fundamental step in the evolution of the work culture in Italy. Thanks to technology and flexibility, this modern approach offers tangible advantages to both employees and companies.
By maintaining appropriate controls and respecting current regulations, this modality can cultivate productivity, improve employee well-being, and help companies grow, leading us toward a future centered on workplace well-being.
The "Glacom" example: work with a flexible soul
In today's entrepreneurial scenario, digitalization and innovation are advancing at very rapid rates, and in this context, work flexibility stands as a fundamental pillar for growth and success. For our company, it has therefore become very important to adopt flexible working models, not only to increase satisfaction within the company, but also to bring tangible benefits to the entire enterprise.Following this perspective, the traditional office model from 9 to 5 is destined to become a distant memory. Global technological evolution and new worker expectations have paved the way for more flexible and remote working methods. Glacom has fully embraced this trend, identifying smart working as something that increases employee satisfaction and is fundamental when it comes to increasing overall productivity.
Employees are trustingly left free to manage their own time and tasks, with a focus on achieving goals rather than excessive control.
This philosophy based on trust fuels a sense of autonomy and promotes a goal-oriented work culture. It should also be considered that flexible hours allow employees to adapt their work routine based on personal and family needs, also ensuring a more 'elastic' management of holidays in order to offer an adequate period of rest and detachment from the work context. Today's companies can leverage tools that help manage a more flexible business model from this point of view, such as time-tracking and management software that allow for planning and tracking work performed, allowing employees to go to the office when necessary.
This combination of flexibility and attention to worker well-being is essential for creating a harmonious balance between professional commitments and free time. Consequently, these preventive and humanized approaches to working time contribute significantly to the decrease in burnout phenomena, ensuring that employees feel reinvigorated, motivated, and less exposed to the risk of professional exhaustion. All this also entails a marked decrease in absences and, consequently, fewer interruptions in work flows and higher overall performance.
It must be remembered that the environment in which one works has a significant impact on people's performance in the company. The goal that Glacom aspires to is therefore to allow employees to operate in environments familiar to them, in order to achieve deep job satisfaction. Working remotely or with flexible hours means expanding one's mind on concepts related to inclusivity, favoring the diversity and richness of the company team. Adopting this style in companies also has an important ecological impact, because it equates to using fewer polluting means of transport, containing the energy consumption of offices, and minimizing the environmental impact.
In conclusion, the innovation proposed by "Glacom" goes far beyond a simple smart working policy. It is a vision, a model to follow for those companies that aim for flexibility and the improvement of their employees' satisfaction, not only in the present but also in view of future challenges. It is an invitation to rethink work paradigms, putting the person, efficiency, and a concrete commitment toward a better world at the center.
