Workers will have the right to ignore their boss after clocking off under new Australian laws - with bosses facing criminal penalties if they keep offending
Daily MailJAN 21 2024
Workers in Australia Monday gained the right to ignore work-related emails and phone calls after logging out for the day — but only if they are deemed “unreasonable.”
Australia's Senate passed the new law in February, making the reason, nature of work, and compensation key factors in deciding if contact was reasonable.
While the law becomes applicable Monday to workers of firms with over 15 employees, those of smaller businesses will get the right on Aug. 22, 2025.
The Right to Disconnect law was needed in Australia due to "availability creep," where employees are increasingly expected to work outside scheduled hours. This trend, exacerbated by smartphones and remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to significant unpaid overtime and negative consequences for workers' mental health, physical well-being, productivity, and personal lives. The law aims to restore work-life balance and protect employees from unpaid labor.
The Right to Disconnect law was unnecessary and will reduce workplace flexibility and productivity. It will likely be detrimental to both workers and the economy, potentially disrupting the existing consensus on workplace flexibility. There is also concern about the law's lack of clarity and potential negative impacts on employment opportunities and employer-employee relationships. For instance, who exactly will decide what is "reasonable" about a call or an email when made after work hours?