Teleworking: the government should extend the minimum three-day rule by two weeks

A “last push” on compulsory telework? "We hope that this will be the last effort", declared the Minister of Labor, Élisabeth Borne before the employers' organizations and trade unions gathered by videoconference, this Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m., in order to make everyone aware of the decisions that the executive is preparing to announce… At the end of yet another Health Defense Council, which is being held on Thursday morning, Jean Castex must decide on the government's position and set the horizon line. Main message that will be sent by the Prime Minister: no question of lowering our guard and letting go of ballast today, especially on telework!

You will have to be patient.

Because the contamination figures continue to get carried away: 465,000 in the last 24 hours and tensions in hospitals.

Élisabeth Borne has obviously worked to make this inventory by announcing to the organizations that the rules set by Jean Castex, i.e. three days of teleworking – or even four when possible – compulsory since January 3 for a period of three weeks, should be extended by at least two weeks.

“We are aware that the situation can be difficult for certain employees and certain companies”, she hammered.

VIDEO.

Covid-19: “compulsory” telework three days a week from the start of the school year

“Companies will comply with requests”

Difficult to rush into the stretchers. And yet, the Medef representative expressed his disapproval during the meeting, expressing surprise at the maintenance of this measure “for a big flu”. What irritate Elisabeth Borne, who strongly contested these remarks. At Medef headquarters, however, the comments are tempered: “Companies will comply with government requests, but they regret this decision which will weigh on certain sectors of the economy and on the morale of employees. We would have preferred incitement to coercion. »

In recent days, employers' organizations have spared no effort to let Matignon and the Elysee Palace know the "fed up" of many companies.

The Confederation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (CPME) recalls that “many of the employees also had enough of it”.

Jean Eudes du Mesnil du Buisson, number two of the CPME, recognizes that faced with the soaring contamination, two million per week, it is difficult to deny the difficulty.

He nevertheless notes a drop in hospitalizations and hopes to be able to turn the page as soon as possible.

Unions also lined up behind the measure

In the union ranks, Yves Veyrier, of FO, explains that he never varies his position: “The question of compulsory teleworking is a decision of the public authorities which is based on health.

I comply with everything prescribed.

“Afterwards, I am not in a position to assess the effectiveness of the measure”, nuances the secretary general of FO, while recalling that “high-dose teleworking is psychologically harmful for certain employees”.

The unions almost spoke with one voice, lining up behind the measure while recalling that it is necessary to take care of employees who may feel isolated.

The Minister of Labor, Élisabeth Borne, recalled that the State continued to financially support companies impacted by the restrictions.

And reaffirmed the need to apply health rules.

Friday, the Constitutional Council must still rule on the new health law, containing in particular the establishment of the vaccination pass.

As for the penalty of 500 euros for employers reluctant to telework which angered the Medef, there is little chance that it will be rejected.