Employment disputes

In 2013, Eni’s commitment to preventing and managing work disputes was maintained, working at the pre-trial phase with effective tools to reduce the number of legal disputes and the consequent costs.

Thanks to the continued legal assistance provided, the level of conflict remained low, taking into account the size of the company and the complex structure of employment legislation, particularly in Italy.

The number of cases reaching the Italian and non-Italian courts connected with work contracts such as claims for superior grading, recognition of pay differences and, in particular for Italy, alleged downgrading and deskilling remained at an extremely low level (0.35% of employees in service in December 2013). This confirms a model of work organization which allows Eni’s people to make the most of their skills and potential with the support of a shared system of skill classification.

The majority of disputes (18% of the total) concern occupational illnesses and represent, at this time, a typical feature of Italian employment disputes; they are due to claims for alleged exposure to potentially damaging agents, often linked to the industrial sites acquired by Eni.

About 16% of the total disputes, however, relate to claims following outsourcing by Eni, such as transfers of company branches and service contracts.

Moreover, concearning disputes abroad, particular importance is assumed by requests for profit sharing in addition to the pay claims already referred to.