The concept of Smart Working has gained popularity in recent years, especially since the pandemic. But there is still a lot of confusion about what it really means and whether agile working really means working from home. In this article we will explore the challenges and benefits of remote working, highlighting the flexibility it offers.
Smart Working (Agile Working) is a way of working that allows employees to perform their tasks in a location other than the traditional office, be it at home, in a café or in a co-working space. This mode is based on some fundamental characteristics:
Many see agile working as an ideal option, but there are also some important considerations to bear in mind. (Ministry of Education and Merit, 2017)
According to research by the Digital Innovation Observatories Politecnico di Milano the benefits of agile working are for:
The main disadvantages experienced by workers are the difficulty in maintaining a work-life balance, perceived sense of isolation towards the team and the company, and stress due to intensive use of digital technologies.
I data from the Smart Working Observatory of the Politecnico di Milano show that the number of remote workers in 2024 is essentially stable: 3.55 million compared to 3.58 million in 2023 (-0.8%). Italian smart workers have an average of 9 days per month in large enterprises, 6.6 in small and medium-sized enterprises and 7 days in public administration.
In summary, smart working offers many opportunities, but it also requires discipline. While it is true that you do not always work from home, this model can adapt to your personal and professional needs. If you are considering adopting this way of working, carefully weigh up the pros and cons.
