Calolziocorte – About 8,000 kilometers as the crow flies from his own desk, and yet still on the job: In the small Lombard town of Calolziocorte in the province of Lecco, the city administration’s decision to allow a recently hired municipal employee to work remotely from the Dominican Republic for an entire month is causing a stir. From May 30 to June 30, the man will be carrying out his duties from the Caribbean—with the city government’s blessing, but against the opposition’s explicit objections.
Family reasons and the promise of full availability
This unusual arrangement was prompted by a personal matter. The employee had requested permission to perform part of his duties remotely so that he could accompany his wife and their two minor daughters during a temporary return to their home country. In return, he agreed to adhere to his regular work hours and to remain available at all times by phone and online.
Dispute Over an Exception to the Rules
It is precisely this arrangement that has brought the opposition groups „Cambia Calolzio“ and „Bene Comune“—led by Diego Colosimo and Sonia Mazzoleni, respectively—into the fray. Both groups have formally requested information in recent days regarding why the municipal committee approved a temporary hybrid arrangement combining vacation and remote work. Their main objection is directed at the deviation from municipal regulations: according to these regulations, location-independent work is permitted exclusively within the country’s borders. The fact that remote work in Italy is strictly defined by law is evident time and again—from debates about New Work-from-Home Rules including rulings on the Work-Related Accident While Working from Home.
„No tailor-made exceptions“
In a Facebook post, „Cambia Calolzio“ makes it clear that it has long advocated for supporting municipal employees, improving administrative processes, and helping employees better balance work, family, and personal life. A modern administration must invest in its staff and create conditions under which employees can do their jobs well. However, showing appreciation should not mean creating „corsie preferenziali“—that is, fast lanes—or granting tailor-made exceptions for individual employees.
The mayor says it is a routine procedure
Mayor Marco Ghezzi, on the other hand, considers the approach to be entirely appropriate. There was a personal need, and the administration deemed it necessary to accommodate it, the mayor explains. The situation was resolved by combining the accumulated vacation days with remote work. Ghezzi denies that this was special treatment: The employee continues to perform his duties reliably and has remained in constant contact with the municipal offices even while working remotely, always providing prompt responses. He is considered a reliable and dedicated employee.
