In Italy, a strong backlash is occurring against the government's recent decision to halve smart working days for public administration employees, particularly at Palazzo Chigi. This decision has prompted significant unrest, leading to a state of agitation among workers, who have organized large assemblies and voted unanimously to initiate at least one day of strike action. The union Flp has monitored the dissatisfaction across various ministries, indicating that the opposition to reduced telework policies is widespread beyond Palazzo Chigi.

The growing protest movement emphasizes workers' demand for flexible working arrangements, which they argue are essential to maintaining work-life balance and adapting to modern employment needs. The shift away from smart working is seen not just as a logistical adjustment but as a retreat from progress made during the pandemic in embracing digital work practices. As such, the actions taken by public administration employees reflect broader sentiments on job flexibility across Italy.

The implications of this unrest could be far-reaching, as strikes and protests could disrupt public service operations and remind policymakers of the lessons learned during the pandemic about the necessity and benefits of smart working. The responses from the government and the unions will be crucial in determining the future of smart working in Italy and could influence labor relations in various sectors, potentially leading to broader national discussions about employment legislation and workers' rights.