Australians gain the ‘right to disconnect’ under a new law over workers’ rights

Lauren Taylor

UNPLUGGING AFTER WORK – NOW IT’S A WORKER’S RIGHT TO BE LEFT ALONE AFTER OFFICE HOURS… AT LEAST DOWN UNDER. 

STARTING MONDAY, EMPLOYEES ACROSS AUSTRALIA WILL OFFICIALLY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISCONNECT THANKS TO A NEW LAW PASSED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THIS LEGISLATION, PASSED IN FEBRUARY, PROTECTS EMPLOYEES WHO CHOOSE NOT TO MONITOR, READ, OR RESPOND TO ANY CONTACT FROM THEIR EMPLOYERS AFTER HOURS. IT ESSENTIALLY ENSHRINES THE “RIGHT TO DISCONNECT,” ALLOWING WORKERS TO SWITCH OFF AFTER A LONG DAY.

EMPLOYERS COULD FACE FINES UP TO $18-THOUSAND-DOLLARS IF FOUND IN VIOLATION. EMPLOYEES CAN’T BE DISCIPLINED OR FIRED FOR REFUSING CONTACT OUTSIDE OF THEIR DESIGNATED WORKING HOURS.

SIMILAR LAWS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE ACROSS PARTS OF EUROPE INCLUDING FRANCE, GERMANY AND BELGIUM. 

THE NEWS RULES AIM TO HELP AUSTRALIANS FIND A BETTER WORK-LIFE BALANCE, SOMETHING THAT’S BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE WITH FAMILY AND CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES. 

THERE HAS BEEN SOME PUSHBACK, PARTICULARLY FROM THE EMPLOYER SIDE. THEY’VE CRITICIZED THE LEGISLATION FOR BEING RUSHED AND FLAWED. HOWEVER, THE LAW DOES INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR EXCEPTIONS. 

AUSTRALIAN OFFICIALS RECOMMEND EMPLOYEES CHECK OUT THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS’ FACT SHEET, AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT PROVIDE A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE NEW RULES APPLY TO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.

WE’LL CONTINUE TO SEE HOW THIS LAW AFFECTS WORK CULTURE ACROSS AUSTRALIA- AND YOU CAN TOO. DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP – AND SIGN UP FOR UPDATES SO YOU NEVER MISS A STORY