Employment Contract Details
There are no statutory requirements for a written employment contract nor the obligation to draft the contract in Italian.
Probation Period
The maximum probation period is 6 months. The length varies depending on the terms of the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Minimum Wage Requirements
There are no provisions regarding minimum salary stipulated in law.
Maximum working hours and overtime
Normal working hours over a five-day period are 40 hours a week and must not exceed 48 hours.
Bonus and expense payments
Employees are entitled to receive a 13th salary equal to their regular monthly salary, which is paid in December unless the employee requests to receive this on a monthly basis. Most employers are required to provide employees with a 14th salary as well, that is paid in July unless the employee requests to receive this on a monthly basis.
Parental Leave
During the first 12 years of the child's life, the parents are entitled to have a period of absence to take care of their children. Parental leave can be taken by either parent for a maximum period of six months, or by one only for a maximum period of 10 months.
- Maternity Leave: employees must not work for two months before, and three months after, childbirth. This compulsory period of maternity leave can be shifted to up to five months used all after childbirth, if a medical certificate is produced.
- Paternity Leave: If the maternity leave period is not taken, the partner is entitled to the entire or residual period of maternity leave. This right does not apply in any other circumstances.
Sick Leave
In the event of employee illness or injury, Collective Bargains Agreements or individual contracts generally provide for a period of paid time off, during which the employee is entitled to keep their job and to receive their salary in the proportion and for the period set out in any applicable CBA or the individual employment contract. After this period, the employer can dismiss the employee by giving notice. This period is generally between six and 12 months and applies in cases of both a single period of sick leave and multiple periods.