Poste Italiane is unique in Italy in terms of its size, recognition, capillarity and customer trust, and is an integral part of the economic, social and productive fabric of the country. Its role in relation to the entire nation makes the Group responsible for the well-being of the communities in which it operates, in the conviction that in such a critical period of Italian history its contribution can represent a valuable tool at the service of citizens and institutions. The Covid-19 pandemic, which has been part of everyday life for a long time, has taken the whole world by surprise, requiring great efforts from all economic operators to identify solutions aimed at ensuring people's health and, at the same time, continuity of their business. Poste Italiane, in compliance with government measures on virus containment and interpersonal distancing, has implemented various initiatives and made them possible thanks to the commitment of the entire organisation, making its contribution to the entire country. The Group has reshaped the way in which it provides its services, constantly taking into account the evolution of the current epidemiological situation and the consequent Government measures on the subject. First of all, the Company has considered of fundamental importance to guarantee the protection of its employees’ health , adopting flexible forms of work (remote working) and providing personnel with all the tools and equipment they need to work in complete safety (e.g. PPEs, plexiglass panels, etc.), in cases of activities that are incompatible with the remote working model, such as postal and logistics activities.

The actions undertaken by the Group are consistent with the values recognised by Poste Italiane in relation to the sustainability strategy, based on eight Pillars, and in line with the recommendations of the Global Compact Network Italy, the UN PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment) guidelines and the additional indications provided by the United Nations in relation to the impact of the Covid-19 emergency on SDGs(41).

The initiatives implemented by the Group to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, mentioned below, are discussed in more detail within the relevant pillars indicated and are marked by this infographic:
 

"Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: responding to the socio-economic impacts of Covid-19", March 2020  

Input capital	Initiative	Pillar
	21 February 2020 | Establishment of the Coronavirus Risk Management Committee, a body aimed at the unified and coordinated national governance of containment and prevention actions
	Introduction of measures to reduce the level of potential contagion (remote working, travel management, provision of training initiatives exclusively online)
	Constant distribution of PPEs to exposed personnel and cleaning and sanitising of workplaces and company fleet
	26 March 2020 | Extension of employee Illness insurance policy
	23 July 2020 | Signing of an annual agreement with the Labour Unions that calls for the payment of a performance bonus
	Establishment of a dual communication channel to facilitate the flow of information
	18 December 2020 | Signing of an Agreement with the Labour Unions to extend and regulate remote working activities
	14 April 2020 | Signing Agreement with Assidipost-Federmanager for solidarity initiatives for executives
	Guaranteed that employees will be able to undergo free swabs
	Installation of thermal cameras to detect body temperature

Input capital	Initiative	Pilar
	Continuity of Post Office openings
	Suspension of mortgages and loans
	Adoption of measures to ensure distancing in Post Offices
	Multi-channel approach, digital growth and adoption of tools to discourage cash use
	Strengthening of Poste Digital Assistant
	Communication activities to online and offline customers in order to make them adopt security measures to contain the spread of the virus	​
	Simplification of succession claims in order to avoid customers having to go to the Post Office several times
	New channels for reporting incidents in addition to the paper channel already available
	Introduction of the possibility of opening a BancoPosta account via app as well
	Installation of approximately 27,000 sustainable plexiglass barriers

Input Capital	Iniziativa	Pilastro
	Opening of an interactive channel with all the institutions potentially affected by the phenomenon and interaction with the government bodies in charge of crisis management. Constant monitoring of regulatory provisions relating to measures adopted by the authorities
	Arrangements for maintaining the guarantee of services
	Close collaboration with Labour Unions and constant updating with respect to the strengthening of measures to limit contagions and measures aimed at ensuring service continuity
	UNI ISO 26000 certification, international standard for the adoption of sustainable development strategies, issued by DNV GL– Business Assurance
	Certification of its environmental management system according to the international standard UNI EN ISO 14001:2015, issued by IMQ-CSQ
	Participation in the second edition of the IPC (International Post Corporation) initiative “Green Postal Day”
	Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Poste Italiane and ACI on safe driving and sustainable mobility
	Agreement between Poste Italiane and Carabinieri for the payment and home delivery of pensions to citizens and the identification of a method of paying pensions in staggered form; synergies for the management of possible crowds outside Post Offices
	Agreements with Local Administrations for the delivery of masks to the population and listening and proximity to institutions to offer solutions to emerging criticalities
	Collaboration with the Italian government on the disbursement of the Inps bonus and the advance payment of ordinary and special redundancy payments to BancoPosta and Postepay Evolution customers
	Implementation of a platform to facilitate the vaccination campaign
	Logistical support for vaccine delivery
	Continuous communication activities to national and local institutions aimed at raising awareness
	Creation of a cycle of meetings “Atlas of Territories”, in order to discuss the aspirations and possibilities for change starting from the themes of health, solidarity, housing and territorial fragilities of the internal areas
	Provision of financial, digital and postal education programmes
	Implementation of TG Poste information channel with the aim of continuing the mission of presence and proximity to its employees
	Introduction of solutions for the assignment of tax credits for companies and BancoPosta account holders (110% Superbonus and other tax bonuses)
	Adherence to the initiatives “UNPRI engagement on Covid-19 response” and “European alliance for a green recovery”
	Signing of the Climate Action 100+ Engagement Green Recovery
	Adherence to the Access to Nutrition Index initiative
	Definition of initiatives against gender-based violence
	Positioning of Poste Italiane Group as one of the best employers for women in Italy, according to the research “Italy’s Best Employers for Women 2021” carried out by the Istituto Tedesco Qualità (ITQF)
	Launch of “Smart Screening”, a service to help citizens with massive selfcollection health screening programmes

 

As regards developments in the current year, the reference context is still characterised by a high degree of uncertainty. The nature and timing of the recovery will depend on developments in the spread of the virus and related restrictive measures by governments to contain contagions, as well as the speed and effectiveness of the vaccination campaign.

The Group constantly monitors the evolution of the macroeconomic scenario in order to promptly assess the potential effects on operations and adjust behaviour and lines of action.

The resilience of its businesses, high financial integrity and capital strength, and substantial reputational capital ensure business continuity. This prerogative is also confirmed by the short and medium-term objectives and trends contained in the "2024 Sustain & Innovate" strategic plan approved by the Board of Directors on 18 March 2021.