UniCredit SpA will allow its employees who are not in a branch to work from home permanently for 40% after the post-pandemic arrangements have been made.In September, we will begin a gradual return to office and in the fourth quarter, we will conduct a pilot project that will allow for sustainable hybrid work.According to the bank's executive, they are working on a plan to allow administrative and headquarters staff to work from their home on a voluntary basis approximately 2 days per week, while branch employees may choose to work from home 1 day per week. The specific circumstances in each country and how the pandemic develops will determine the final arrangements.Ranieri de Marchis Source : UniCredit SpAUniCredit joins the growing number of international lenders that recognize that employees desire more flexibility in their working arrangements. Deutsche Bank AG, Citigroup Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. recently introduced return-to-office agreements that allow for home presence. However, some investment banks such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are calling for more staff return to corporate premises.Andrea Orcel, the new Chief Executive Officer of the bank, took over April 15 and will outline his vision for it in the second half.More SpaceThe UniCredit project will be led by the IT, human resources and real-estate teams. De Marchis stated that the goal is to redesign spaces to match the new model. This includes a lower number of desks assigned, more space for each individual, and additional common areas.De Marchis said that the project is not about saving money or scaling down properties. Our goal is to create a sustainable new way of working. We will reevaluate if we find that there is not enough space.Although work-from-home arrangements are voluntary, they will be implemented by managers according to the bank's needs. De Marchis stated that the flexibility goal is to work from home as much as 40%, but each case will be determined individually.UBS Group AG will allow up to two-thirds its employees to work at home. Deutsche Bank also stated that it is working on plans to allow staff members to work remotely for as little as three days per week. Citigroup stated Wednesday that it believes flexible policies will attract new employees -- at the expense of JPMorgan Chase & Co.Changed habitsDe Marchis stated that UniCredits' policy is also motivated by the desire to attract potential recruits.He said that this is a sign of our determination to be an employer choice. We want to explore flexibility in how work is done to find the best solution for our customers, our employees and our company.UniCredit's headquarters are in Milan, the heart of the Province that was the epicenter for the Covid-19 pandemic. The company's 4,000 employees in Porta Nuova are housed in three skyscrapers made of glass and steel, including Cesar Pellis 31 story tower. It is estimated that 25% of the workforce currently goes to work, with a maximum of 50%. There are units across Europe, including in Germany and Austria.De Marchis stated that the pandemic has affected our work habits and ways of working. In general, flexibility was stigmatized in the past, but it is likely to be the new normal.
