Australia Passes ‘Right to Disconnect’ Legislation for Work-Life Balance
- February 13, 2024
The Australian government has passed new legislation granting workers the “right to disconnect” from work communications during non-work hours, aimed at helping employees maintain a healthier work-life balance.
The Seattle Times reports that Australia has become one of the first countries to pass a comprehensive “right to disconnect” law, which will make it illegal for employers to penalize workers who don’t respond to messages outside of specified work hours. The legislation, which takes effect in March, establishes that employees cannot be compelled to respond to emails, texts or calls outside of their normal work hours, which are typically 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The law is aimed at addressing an increasingly blurred line between work and personal time driven by the proliferation of smartphones. A recent study found that more than half of Australians regularly work outside their contracted hours, contributing to higher stress and burnout.