Given the health situation that the country is going through due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the Chamber of the Digital Economy of Uruguay (CEDU) implemented the remote work modality for all its collaborators and highlights the need to elaborate a legislation that regularizes this work modality.
In 2019, government authorities invited CEDU together with the Uruguayan Chamber of Information Technology (Cuti), Smart Talent and Uruguay XXI, among other organizations, to be part of a working committee with the aim of designing this regulation, which would have important benefits for both employees and employers.
"Information Technology (IT) allows to perform almost all the usual office tasks at home, making teleworking another form of employment suitable for several areas," said Natalia Macri, CEO of Oferta Exportable and director of CEDU.
Macri explained that the optimization of resources is one of the main benefits of this way of performing work tasks. By not requiring a physical space that houses all the staff, smaller offices can be used, thus reducing the operating costs of companies. On the other hand, it avoids the transfer of workers, saving them time and costs.
The elimination of the geographical barrier also facilitates access to employment regardless of the place of residence, a relevant aspect in a country that concentrates labor activity in its capital. In addition, telework expands the possibility of exporting services, resulting in another important advantage for firms and the Uruguayan economy.
"The regulations must provide guarantees to both parties. Fulfilling the tasks assigned in the agreed schedule, stipulate responsibilities in cases of accidents within the working day, but caused at home are some of the elements to be taken into account," added Macri.
The initiative implies a challenge for all those involved, from how to organize and control the productivity of the teams, encourage teamwork and generate a sense of belonging, to how to condition and respect the work space at home.
"Training and advisory services are tools that will contribute to successfully carry out this change highly required by the market, improving competitiveness and positioning the country at an international level," he concluded.
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