This time let’s talk about work, and in particular employment, for some interesting updates.

As it is still summer time, when holidays are enjoyed, I point out the importance of ... using them.

Holidays are in fact a fundamental right of the worker; some prefer not to enjoy them in full and get an allowance in lieu at the end of the year.

If, however, the employer invites the employee to take them, it is advisable to do so, because under certain conditions one may otherwise lose them, without being entitled to the aforementioned allowance, so states the Italian Court of Cassazione in a recent ruling.

Another novelty for Italian employers, who have a hard time finding workers and face many difficulties if they try to get them from abroad: they can turn to Temporary Employment Agencies, which can now also hire foreigners.

Of course not everything is so extremely simple, but the bulk of the bureaucratic side would be done by the Temporary Employment Agencies, so for many employers this could be a new opportunity!

Finally, the salaries shall be disclosed and comparable to all other workers: in order also to reduce gender differences in salaries, this year's European Directive 970 stipulates that - not immediately, however, but from 2026 - workers will have a right to information on average salary, disaggregated by gender.

The taboo of salary secrecy falls, in the name of fighting pay discrimination.

The most diligent companies, however, could respect it even earlier, especially if the trade unions, also those in the company, start demanding its implementation.

The information I give here is necessarily of a general nature, but for any further information, just ask and I will be happy to give you more details.

last update September 2023