Labor & Employment Practices (Nicole F.)

Italy’s employment & labor practices are followed and understood under a code law. “Code law countries require that every action fit within a preexisting law. France and Italy are examples of code law countries, in which registration determines ownership. Tradition, past practices, and legal precedence influence a common law country’s decision. Common law changes as society changes” (Sternquist, 2018). The employment laws are divided into categories, European Union Law, Italian Law, Collective labor agreements. The employment law includes employees and self-employees. Italy doesn’t require employment contracts to be in writing, but self-employment contracts must be in writing. The terms that apply to all contracts of employment are anti-discrimination duties upon the employer, the employer’s duty to perform the contract in fairness and good faith, and the duty of employees to observe the maximum care and loyalty towards their employer. The basic rules set for employment are that employees must be paid salary based on the quantity and quality of the performed job duties, daily rest periods must be enforced, and the annual paid leave period must not be any lower than four weeks per year. Trade unions have the right to strike and execute collective bargain agreements. Part-time & full-time employees at the same company are entitled to the same economic and legal conditions. Maternity leave is available to mother and father, broken into two categories “compulsory” (80% of average salary) or “optional” (30% of average salary) (Bulgarini d’Elci & Sartori, 2021). Returning to work for the same duties as prior to the pregnancy.

The impact of Covid-19 changed society. Like the mandates the United States is now facing with vaccinations and weekly testing, Italy is following. Italy is taking a stricter stance than the rest of its bordering countries issuing the “Green pass”. The pass was developed to ease travel around Europe this pass became a requirement to access venues such as museums, gyms, and indoor dining in restaurants. Union leaders have spoken up and believe they shouldn’t have to pay for the weekly testing if they chose not to get the vaccine. The government rejected this request and said the test will cost 15 euros for work purposes (Reuters, 2021). “Italy in March ordered health workers to get vaccinated or face suspension. As of today, 728 doctors have been suspended, the doctors’ federation said on Thursday. It was not immediately clear how many nurses or carers had refused to comply.” As the Retailers of Italia put the indigenous product into the market, one needs to understand the risks that could follow. “The environmental elements the company cannot control are called the macro-environment. The macro-environment consists of five sub-environments: economic, competition, technological, social, and governmental” (Sternquist, 2018). The many changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic have impacted all the sub-environments.