When in Rome, Work from Home? How Organizations Regulate Remote Work in Italy, France, Switzerland, and Quebec

The way in which remote working is interpreted by organizations (by top management, by human resources management), even in its being an element of possible sustainability, may vary in relation to national work cultures and laws, with differences between countries. This study, in particular, aims to trace the differences and similarities in terms of how organizations regulate and manage remote working by considering 294 organizations of four different countries: France (n = 92), Switzerland (n = 82), Italy (n = 60), and Quebec (n = 60). In each country, each response relates to an entire organization. The findings show that perceived pressure from the environment to implement remote working is higher in Quebec (Canada) than in Switzerland and Italy. In terms of regulations, 90% of Quebec organizations reported to have approved an internal regulation for remote working compared with European countries, ranging between 72% (for Italy) and 76% (for France). Finally, the findings confirm the role played by top-management positive beliefs for remote working and pressure from the environment for the implementation of different adaptations: All these findings show differences in particular between Quebec and European countries that are interesting to better understand and debate.