Thesis title: L'organizzazione del lavoro nell'era digitale: il DPO tra vecchi modelli e nuovi paradigmi di efficienza
This research investigates the legal framework governing the Data Protection Officer (DPO) as a paradigm of the transformations in skilled labor in the digital age. Through an analysis of the European (GDPR) and national regulatory frameworks, this thesis reconstructs the legal status of a professional role characterized by functional autonomy, interdisciplinary skills, and organizational responsibility—a role that defies traditional categories of subordination and autonomy. The study is structured on multiple levels: the impact of digital transformation on the organization of work; the genesis and functions of the DPO within the GDPR framework; the critical issues surrounding the contractual classification between middle management and executive roles; protections against dismissal and punitive measures; and the management of conflicts of interest. An empirical case study (CESMAL-CIU UNIONQUADRI 2025 research) of one hundred Italian organizations documents the gap between formal compliance and the effectiveness of guarantees of independence. The thesis formulates proposals for new legislation: the introduction of certified training programs, a professional registry for DPOs, specific contractual provisions, and strengthened protections against termination. The DPO emerges as a prime testing ground for rethinking labor law as a tool for governing digital transformation.