With the Annual SME Act, Law No. 34 of 11 March 2026, the legislator addressed the issue of health and safety in remote work, revising the existing prevention framework in light of the now widespread and well-established use of this working arrangement.
Article 11 of Law No. 34 supplements the provisions of Legislative Decree (D.lgs.) No. 81/2008 and strengthens the role of the written information notice as the central tool for complying with health and safety obligations towards employees working remotely. In remote work, where the employer does not have direct control over the working environments “which are not within the employer’s legal availability”, it becomes essential to shift the focus to information, awareness and employee accountability. The obligation on the employee—specifies the provision—remains to cooperate in the implementation of the prevention measures put in place by the employer to address the risks connected with performing work outside company premises.
As from 7 April 2026, therefore, pursuant to the new paragraph 7-bis of Article 3 of Legislative Decree 81/2008, employers are required to deliver the written information notice to the employee and to the Workers’ Safety Representative (RLS) at least annually. The notice must identify both the general risks and the specific risks connected with remote work, with particular attention to the use of display screen equipment, now one of the main risk factors for those working away from the company site.
The penalty regime has also been strengthened: failure to deliver the annual remote-work information notice is now among the violations sanctioned under Article 55 of Legislative Decree No. 81/2008 and may entail consequences both in terms of fines and criminal liability.