Original Coverage & Source Attribution: hrme.economictimes.indiatimes.com
UniCredit has ended remote working for the direct reports of chief executive Andrea Orcel, and unions say the bank plans to widen the rule to all staff from January.
Italy’s second-biggest lender has withdrawn the arrangement for this group with immediate effect, according to workers’ representatives. They said the decision was communicated in a letter from Orcel and that remote working would now be treated as an exception rather than a default option.
What has changed
For now, the change applies only to the senior managers who report directly to Orcel. The bank has moved to withdraw remote working for this group straight away.
The unions, however, say the shift will not stay limited to the top of the organisation. In a statement issued after talks with management, union representatives said the policy would be broadened to cover all staff from January.
Unions question scope and exemptions
The unions said the bank had not clearly explained which categories of employees might be exempt from the wider rule. They said this uncertainty is now at the centre of the dispute.
Union representatives believe the change could affect a much larger share of the workforce than the initial announcement suggested.
Unions reject the decision
The unions said they rejected the bank’s move and described it as a unilateral decision. They said it ran against expectations that remote work could be extended further, including to branch staff, as has happened in some other banking groups.
Their objection also centres on process. The unions said the bank had changed a key workplace rule without enough consultation, a concern that could carry more weight if the policy is extended beyond senior managers.
Bank cites teamwork and development
A UniCredit spokesperson said in-person collaboration helps strengthen knowledge sharing, development and effective teamwork.
The spokesperson added that flexible working arrangements remain part of the bank’s policy framework.
What happens next
The unions said the wider policy would take effect from January, but that the bank has not yet specified which employees would be exempt.
If the broader rollout goes ahead as outlined by the unions, it would mark a significant change to the bank’s employment model. Staff groups have said they want clearer limits, exemptions and safeguards.
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