A new law in Australia introduces a ”right to disconnect” that allows employees to request government intervention to prevent employers from requiring them to respond to work-related communications outside of their regular working hours. The law, known as the Fair Work Legislation Amendment, has been passed by both houses of Australia’s legislature and is set to take effect in six months. It includes provisions for criminal penalties and civil penalties for non-compliance.
The law aims to protect employees from being obligated to perform extra work without proper compensation. It allows employees to refuse to monitor, read, or respond to employer communications outside of their working hours, with some reasonable exceptions. These exceptions are based on factors such as the reason for the contact, the method of communication, and the compensation provided to the employee.
Australia’s adoption of the ”right to disconnect” law follows similar legislation in other countries, including France, Canada, Germany, Italy, and the Philippines. However, industry groups have expressed concerns about the potential impact on productivity, job availability, and business costs.
2024-02-18 09:00:04
Article from www.computerworld.com