General Secretary of the Italian Digital Revolution - AIDR Association, Avv. Sergio Alberto Codella explains what the “POLA” is and how it will impact together with the transition to digital in the organization of the PA

You are a labor lawyer who has always been attentive to news concerning the world of work. Can you tell us what POLA is?

One of the main innovations of the legislation on smart woking in the PA concerns the introduction of the organizational plan of agile work and, that is, the cd. POLA.

This innovation was introduced by art. 263 of the decree-law n. 34 of 2020 (converted with amendments by law no. 77 of 2020), according to which the public administrations must draw up, after consulting the trade unions, the POLA, as a "section" of the performance plan.

The POLA will have to identify the implementation methods of smart working by providing, only for the activities that can be carried out remotely, that at least 60% of workers can use it. Obviously, participation in the performance of work activities in an "agile" mode cannot result in penalties for employees for the purpose of recognizing professionalism and career progression.

But what are the aims and contents of the POLA?

In essence, the POLA must ensure the promotion and, if we can say so, the "diffusion" of smart working in the PA in a more organic way than in the past and all this "downstream" of the emergency experience determined by Covid 19.

In fact, the POLA will have to define the organizational measures, the technological requirements, the training courses of the staff, including managerial ones, and the tools for detecting and periodically verifying the results achieved, also in terms of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the action administrative, digitalisation of processes, as well as the quality of the services provided, also involving citizens, both individually and in their associative forms.

When should the POLA be drawn up?

The POLA must be drawn up by January 31 of each year and starting from 2021. There is therefore very little time for the expiry of the term within which the PAs must adapt.

Also for this reason, AIDR has favored the formation of a network of professionals who can assist interested PAs in drafting this document, which is so important for the future and development of the organization of public affairs.

AIDR since the beginning and for many years now has promoted events, meetings and documents aimed at spreading the culture of Smart working both in the public and private sectors, having been among the first subjects in Italy to understand the importance of agile work.

Are smart working and digital transition a perfect combination?

The experiences gained during the lock down have shown the perfect combination between Smart working and digital transition. We need to treasure that experience to accompany the process of renewal and transformation of the PA to transform it into new working models, capable of increasing performance towards citizens and businesses, while at the same time improving the level of responsibility, trust and competence of the staff . The POLA and the Three-year IT Plans of the individual PAs must include activities, work processes and organizational models to support, accelerating the simplification and dematerialization of deeds and documents, also to encourage the digital transition of the PA; IT skills, to be disseminated at all levels to facilitate the use of software and interchange and communication platforms intended to support desks and PCs connected to networks instrumental equipment and adequate materials, hardware and software, which in many cases have proved insufficient to support smart working.

Smart Working, with POLA and digital towards a new model of PA