Companies, up to 1% incentive for those who support work-life balance

Contribution relief for companies that implement work-life balance tools, obtaining the UNI/PdrR 192:2026 certification, a new tool that came into force just a few days ago for the recognition of public and private organisations that choose to invest in maternity, paternity, care duties, organisational flexibility, corporate welfare, health, and career continuity.

The measure contained in the Work Decree, approved by the Cabinet and awaiting publication in the Official Gazette, provides for an exemption from the payment of employer social security contributions for companies in possession of the certification linked to the valorisation of birth support and care needs, up to 1 per cent and up to a maximum of EUR 50,000 per year for each company.

"The new certification, which flanks and complements the already operational one for gender equality," said Eugenia Roccella, Minister for Family, Natality and Equal Opportunities, "is the result of very thorough work carried out by the ministry together with UNI and the Autonomous Province of Trento, already the promoter of the 'family audit', which provided important inspiration for this initiative. The certification for gender equality went very well and to date there are 12,500 certified companies.

For this new relief, 7 million has been earmarked for the remainder of 2026 and 12 million the structural year from 2027. In addition to these resources, 14 million has already been set aside by the ministry for accompanying companies on the path to certification.

The exemption will be repartitioned and applied on a monthly basis by a decree of Labour, in agreement with the political authority delegated to family policies and with the MEF, to be adopted within 30 days from the entry into force of the law converting the decree. The same decree will lay down the implementation modalities of the exemption, including the procedures for the acquisition of the new certifications (and their period of validity). Enterprises in possession of the certification will also benefit from promotional activities under the responsibility of ICE. It will be up to Inps to monitor the measure.