After Jean Castex's call last week to push telework “to the maximum”, the government asked the prefects for actions to strengthen the use of this way of working which has stagnated in recent weeks despite the instructions.
"
In the departments under enhanced surveillance, we ask you to put in place an action plan aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the use of teleworking
", write Gérald Darmanin (Interior), Élisabeth Borne (Labor) and Amélie de Montchalin (Function public) in this instruction.
Read also: They have been fully teleworking for a year already
They recall that company protocol provides that teleworking must be the rule for all activities that allow it.
Since January, the possibility has been added for 100% teleworking employees to come back one day a week if they wish.
In accordance with this protocol, Jean Castex asked last week to companies and administrations which can push
telework
"
to the maximum
" to put it in place "
at least four days
" per week, an objective of which many companies "
are still far today
”, according to him.
A study by the Institut Pasteur carried out in March 2021 shows that contamination at work represents 15% of identified cases of Covid-19.
The prefects are therefore invited to "
report
" the actions envisaged.
For the private sector, it could be “
more systematic contacts with businesses
” or awareness-raising actions “
aimed at the general public, social partners and chambers of commerce
”.
Controls will continue, while 55 formal notices have been issued by the labor inspectorate since October.
Public administrations are also called upon to “
intensify
” teleworking.
The letter emphasizes that the latest data available “show
a level of teleworking which remains lower than that of November for employees.
In the civil service, the level has increased but remains insufficient in certain decentralized services
”, indicate the ministers.
13% full telework
The government is relying in particular on an online survey by Harris Interactive - among 1,160 active workers - which shows that the erosion observed between November and January has been stopped but not reversed.
According to this survey sent to AFP, 35% of working people teleworked during the week of March 8 to 14 (compared to 36% in mid-January and 41% in early November) even though 58% say that their job can be done by teleworking .
Only 13% did so full time against 14% in January and 20% in November).
And among workers who can easily telework, 35% were exclusively in-person (as in January).
Among private sector employees who can telecommute, 24% say they have received no encouragement within their company to do so, despite government instructions.
The latter are known by 87% of working people and perceived as “
justified
” and “
clear
” by more than 80%.
For months, the government has been urging companies to step up teleworking.
At the beginning of February, Élisabeth Borne had received certain sectors (banking, insurance, engineering / consulting in particular) designated as poor students.
The Prime Minister also announced a “
significantly reinforced protocol for collective catering in companies
”, noting that “
meal times in the workplace
” is particularly at risk.
Consultations will take place this Monday or Tuesday.
The protocol will be updated immediately on this one aspect.
Finally, the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire will meet this Monday with the boss of Medef, Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux, and of the CPME, François Asselin, to address the issue of strengthening teleworking but also the concerns of related workers. at meal vouchers.
A court decision handed down on March 10 exempts employers from this obligation, because their employees no longer have to lunch outside their home.
