A new “right to disconnect” law has come into force in Australia, allowing employees to ignore work-related emails and calls outside of work hours without fear of punishment. The law aims to address the increasing intrusion of work into personal lives, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Workers in Australia, like in two dozen other countries, can now set boundaries and reclaim their personal time from work obligations.
The law was introduced in response to the growing trend of employees being constantly connected to work through emails, texts, and calls outside of regular hours, resulting in 281 hours of unpaid overtime on average for Australian workers in 2023. The new rule provides employees with the confidence to resist the pressure to be constantly available and emphasizes the importance of work-life balance.
While employers can still contact their employees in emergencies or for jobs with irregular hours, workers have the right to refuse to respond where it is reasonable to do so. The Fair Work Commission will adjudicate on disputes related to the law and has the power to issue fines for non-compliance.
The Australian Industry Group expressed concerns about the ambiguity of the law and its potential impact on job flexibility and the economy. However, the president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions emphasized that the law will not interfere with reasonable requests but will prevent workers from bearing the consequences of poor management planning. Overall, the new law is seen as a positive step to encourage employers to consider the necessity of contacting employees outside of work hours and to promote a healthier work-life balance.
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