They have the right to demand that their jobs be safeguarded for the duration established by collective contracts. Maternity leave guarantees jobs, all rights, financial security for the duration, and leave of absence until the child is a certain age or when he or she is seriously handicapped. Maternity leave may be extended for a further six months until the child's first birthday during which time workers are entitled to 30 per cent of their wage. A 40-hour week is the norm although collective contracts may envision shorter hours. Overtime is allowed in the industrial sector only if it is of a temporary nature and it must be negotiated by specific agreement between employer and employee on an individual basis or by the unions under collective contracts.
Night shifts are also possible and payable separately with a specific wage supplement.
Night shift working remains prohibited for minors and adolescents, including those employed in the world of entertainment, for apprentices, and for women except those engaged in a managerial capacity in the manufacturing sector or in providing in-house medical services. Workers must have 24 consecutive hours off per week. Efforts to reduce unemployment have simplified existing flexibility devices in recent years and introduced new forms to the Italian labour market. Part-time contracts, now less complicated to apply, may be issued to all categories of employees. They may take the form of fewer working hours throughout the week, two or more full days a week, or they may be cyclical in nature, in pre-established relation to certain periods of the year or working month.