Italian construction company pays employees to read books

Vanoncini Edilizia Sostenibile, a sustainable construction company based in Bergamo, Italy, launched a Book Club in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. CEO Danilo Dadda, 52, initiated the program to encourage reading among employees, offering extra pay for participation. The club, informally called "Club dei muratori" (Bricklayers' Club), is voluntary and open to all staff. Employees choose any book—from Dostoevsky and Dumas novels to self-help manuals and essays—prepare a presentation, and share it with colleagues during two monthly meetings held during work hours. For each presentation, employees receive a €100 voucher, which doubles and triples for the second and third presentations, with additional bonuses for books presented in English. The company provided an initial list of 60 books, but employees may select their own. Within two months, the initiative saw full and enthusiastic participation. Vanoncini has a history of investing in training through its "Academy" project, which organizes seminars and conferences on construction topics in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano. The Book Club, however, focuses on culture, cohesion, and personal growth rather than industry-specific skills. In 2020, despite the economic downturn, Vanoncini reported a turnover of €28 million, a 10% increase from the previous year, which Dadda attributes partly to the team-building effect of the initiative.