In an interesting new development, Australia is all set to introduce laws which will give employee the right to ignore post-work related calls and emails from their bosses without any penalty. It also proposes potential fines for employers for reaching out to workers after their working hours.
The “right to disconnect” is part of a raft of changes to industrial relations laws proposed by the federal government under a parliamentary bill, which it says would protect workers’ rights and help restore work-life balance, reported Reuters.
The provision aims to give employees the right to stop unpaid and overtime work post their normal working hours.
Talking about the new proposed law, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters On February 7, “What we are simply saying is that someone who isn’t being paid 24 hours a day shouldn’t be penalised if they’re not online and available 24 hours a day.”
It is noted that Australia is not the only country to come up with the right to disconnect law. Other countries which have similar laws in place include France, Spain and among others in the European Union.
The law was first proposed by the left-wing Greens, who support this rule. Greens leader Adam Bandt posted on Twitter recently that a deal had been reached between the ruling Labor party, smaller parties, and independents to back this new bill in the parliament.
“Australians work an average of six weeks unpaid overtime each year… That time is yours. Not your boss,” Bandt said.