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UNI Europa and ETNO have signed a joint declaration on telework, showing their commitment to setting progressive standards in the new world of work. We support quality employment for quality services.

Telework has become a wide-spread tool in the ICTS sector. It means using information technology to organise and/or perform work which is usually performed at the employer’s premises away from those premises on a regular basis. In other words, telework is a work arrangement under which an employee performs her/his activities from an approved worksite other than the location from which the employee would normally work.

Today, the use of information and communication technology provides a wide range of opportunities for how work can be organised in a more mobile way. Telework allows employees to better reconcile their professional and private lives, thus saving time, money and reducing stress (e.g. due to reduced commutes and better adapted working hours). Though this requires a high level of self-responsibility of the employee, it also implies a relation of trust between employer and employee.

In turn, employers can benefit from mobile working arrangements, as satisfied and better motivated employees positively impact on business (e.g. increased productivity, improved efficiency, less absenteeism or reduced sick leave).

Besides creating logistical advantages on both sides, mobile working environments also have a positive impact on the environment and the public community: it helps reduce pollution due to the reduction in transport and commuting of employees between home and the office, benefiting the society as a whole.

Birte Dedden, UNI Europa Policy Officer for ICTS said: ‘The European Social Partners are committed to promote wellbeing at work. Modern communication technologies have big potential to help reach that goal if good working and management practices are put into place. We have shown that before in our common guidelines. Telework is such a practice that can directly and positively impact on an improved work-life management for employees.’

UNI Europa and ETNO encourage employers and employees in the telecom sector to consider using mobile forms of work as a tool that can be of common benefit. It covers the interest of employees to have a good work-life management on the one hand, and the interest of employers to have a motivated and workforce on the other. We consider telework as one of the key measures to a better quality of life at the work place, and to improve companies’ performance.

Read the full declaration here