Workplace culture in Italy

The personal relationship in Italy comes before work: you are expected to get to know your colleagues and ask about their families and holidays before getting into details.

• Trust is built by informal conversations, and personal recommendations (raccomandazione) sometimes influence hiring.
• Hierarchy is clear in institutions, and the manager is addressed with a formal title until he says otherwise, but the lines between superiors and colleagues may be flexible in small firms.
• Decisions are often taken from above, so do not be surprised if wide discussion is absent.
• And do not bypass your direct manager without telling him.
• And respect for seniority and age is important.
• And do not hesitate to ask for help or clarification since cooperation is valued.
• And keep your tact even in disagreements.

Punctuality is expected in formal meetings and interviews, but meetings may start a quarter of an hour late in some institutions especially in the south, and that is not considered rudeness.

• Meetings are an opportunity for free discussion, and may branch out and voices overlap and do not always end with a clear decision, so ask for a written summary by email after the meeting.
• Deadlines matter but may change, so confirm them.
• And emails are used formally, and calls are important for sensitive issues.
• And in remote work the use of WhatsApp increases but may intrude on rest time.
• Respect the limits of others' schedules, and inform in advance of any delay or absence.
• And after five or six in the evening companies may stay open.

Many employees have a real lunch of about an hour (pausa pranzo) between one and three, with colleagues in a restaurant, canteen or kitchen.

• And the short coffee at the bar with colleagues is a social ritual that builds relationships, so someone may offer you a coffee Ti offro un caffè, accept and reciprocate.
• Do not always eat alone in front of the computer since you may seem isolated.
• Big companies provide meal cards buoni pasto used in restaurants and supermarkets.
• And on holidays, weddings and births you are expected to offer sweets or a drink to colleagues.
• And customs include inviting colleagues to a small party on holidays.
• And exchanging sweets is part of the culture.
• And keep calm during rest breaks.

An employee in Italy usually has at least four weeks of annual leave (ferie), in addition to about twelve public holidays a year, sick leave, and permessi leave for family or study reasons.

• August is a collective holiday: many companies and shops close for two weeks or more around Ferragosto (15 August), so expect slow progress and difficulty reaching people.
• Holidays are presented in advance to the manager and colleagues to coordinate them, and it is preferable to request weeks before.
• Do not expect a reply to email during their holiday.
• And on main holidays such as Christmas and Easter work stops.
• And Muslims can sometimes negotiate leave for religious festivals by agreement with the employer, so ask early.

The north (Milan, Turin and Bologna) is faster, more punctual and closer to the international business style, and the south is slower and more dependent on personal relationships, but the centre (Rome) is a mix.

• Sectors of fashion, design, food, tourism and precision industries are important.
• For success: learn Italian well, build sincere relationships, be flexible and patient with organisation, tolerate administrative errors, show respect to your colleagues and elders, offer your help, and take part in social occasions.
• And make sure to write important agreements to avoid misunderstandings.
• And know your rights through the unions (CGIL, CISL and UIL) if you face a problem, and do not fear consulting.
• And report any harassment or discrimination.

What is the pausa pranzo?