Last stop before the terminus!
For several days, the government has been putting pressure on companies to massively develop remote work and limit the number of face-to-face employees.
"Now is not the time to relax",
hammered Thursday Jean Castex, who wants
"to avoid a new reconfinement"
economically difficult for companies and psychologically damaging for employees.
"Teleworking is a very powerful lever that we do not use enough."
And the Prime Minister, more martial than usual, to deem
"imperative"
to
"telework
wherever possible and where recourse has been reduced".
To read also:
"Teleworking does not make the employees happier nor the company more efficient"
Because, since mid-December, the number of workers who work remotely, either from home or from a third place, has melted.
According to a survey carried out for the Ministry of Labor, only 30% of workers are currently teleworking, or 15 points less than two months ago.
And 64% do it partially, compared to 70% in mid-November.
Five sectors and professions are singled out: publishing and audiovisual, IT, banking and insurance, real estate, lawyers and architects.
"Teleworking must be the rule for all activities that allow it"
, recalled Friday Élisabeth Borne, the Minister of Labor, setting
"two priorities"
for the days to come:
"reduce the share of employees who do not telework at all ”
and ensure that those
“ who teleworked today one, two or three days a week do at least one day more telework ”.
The choice not to reinstate general confinement requires (...), when the situation requires it, great firmness in the application of teleworking rules
Pierre Ramain, the director general of labor
And the government, for whom
"the criminal liability of employers can be engaged"
in the event of non-compliance with the rules relating to teleworking, does not skimp on the means to achieve its ends.
The managers of the professional branches where a
"more pronounced relaxation"
has been observed are summoned this Monday rue de Grenelle to have the straps raised.
HRD representatives will be mobilized in the wake of the challenge of developing more effective teleworking.
And all companies must meet their social and economic committee (CSE)
"as soon as possible"
to discuss an extension of teleworking.
As for labor inspectors, who received detailed instructions from their supervisory authority on February 3, they will increase the number of inspections in the company to raise awareness and support employers on the need to develop remote work.
"The choice not to reinstate general confinement imposes (...), when the situation requires it, great firmness in the application of teleworking rules",
reminds the Director General of Labor, Pierre Ramain, to the 2000 agents responsible for monitoring the proper application of the labor code.
According to the latest report made by its services, some 35 formal notices were sent by the Labor Inspectorate to companies on the issue of teleworking in November and December.
Psychological risks
But the time is more for pedagogy than repression, the repetition of issues than the establishment of formal notices or summons.
It must also be said that a certain consensus is emerging from all sides on the need to act to avoid any re-containment.
"At a time when there is an epidemic which is on the rise again, if it is necessary to telework 100%, and well it must be done",
swears Laurent Berger, the secretary general of the CFDT.
"There is a balance to be found between all teleworking and all face-to-face
, abounds François Asselin, president of the CPME.
We will only get by through social dialogue and the search for the best solution for implementing teleworking, company by company, service by service. ”
This is the first time that we have employees who tell us that they have to come back to work because their life is in danger at home because of their abusive spouse.
The head of an employers' federation
Because the principle of 100% teleworking comes up against two major pitfalls of which the government and the social partners are aware.
First, not all trades can be carried out remotely and it is estimated that only 40% of positions can be operated entirely by teleworking.
Second, the situation can be very difficult psychologically to bear and some employees ask to come back to work face-to-face.
"I am against a total telework which causes isolation and cuts social ties
, pleads Cyril Chabanier, president of the CFTC.
If everyone teleworks 3 or 4 days per week, we can then free up a face-to-face day for everyone. ”
This is why returning to the site one day a week has been authorized since January for those who request it and can.
"A valve in case of necessity",
judges Élisabeth Borne.
To read also:
"I can not wait to find my colleagues": these employees in telework who want to return to the office
A free toll-free number has even been set up to allow employees in distress to talk about it with psychologists.
Especially since the emergency can sometimes be vital ...
"This is the first time that we have employees who tell us that they must come back to work because their life is in danger at home because of their violent spouse" ,
reports the head of an employers' federation.
Even if the balance is difficult to find, the stakes remain major and the will to avoid a reconfinement… imperative.
According to the Ministry of Labor, the risks of contamination fall by 20% with part-time teleworking and by 30% with full-time telework.