Countries where it is illegal to Disturb Employees after work hours

01-07-2024   |   Posted By: Vivek Singh   |   456 View(s)

It is a common fact that employees do not ideally want to do any office related work once they get home.However the pressure of workplace does not give them the liberty to do so.Whereas employers have their reasons for getting in touch with employees-the employees on the other hand cite work-family life balance for the same.This is one issue which is a burning issue world wide but here are some countries who have either functional laws to protect employees or  are in the process of implementing laws to curb such employer practices.

1. France

France was the first country to implement the right to disconnect for employees in 2017. This gives workers the right to ignore work-related communication outside of their working hours. According to the French law, it is mandatory for companies that have over 50 employees to negotiate particular hours wherein employees aren’t expected to reply to work messages.

Talking about the need for such a law, Benoit Hamon– a Socialist Party parliamentarian, had earlier told the BBC, “Employees physically leave the office, but they do not leave their work. They remain attached by a kind of electronic leash — like a dog.”

2.Spain

Spain adopted the right to disconnect law in 2021 which gave employees the freedom to not respond to work-related communication which is beyond their working hours. This helps in promoting workers’ mental health and overall well being.

 

3.Belgium

In 2018, Belgium also applied the right to disconnect to its government employees. This helped them have a better work-life balance in general. But according to reports the rule was later extended to private sector too. “Since 1 April 2023, Belgian employers in the private sector with 20 employees or more must include the right to disconnect in collective bargaining agreements or work rules. The right to disconnect applies to all categories of employees (in Belgium),” reads a report by Ius Laboris.

4.Italy

Another European country that has implemented the right to disconnect law for employees in Italy. Workers in Italy have the right to ignore and not respond to work-related calls and emails during their non-working hours.

5. Ireland

Taking a step against the constant digital connectivity which impacts employees’ mental health in the long run, Ireland too implemented the right to disconnect law in 2018. This helps workers to have a complete break and digital detox from work, which is much needed for their overall well-being.

6.Portugal

Portugal introduced the right to disconnect law in 2020. According to it, companies that have more than 10 employees, will be imposing fines for reaching out to employees beyond their working hours. It gives workers the right to completely detach from work-related digital communications like emails and text messages. The law was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when work-from-home had become a norm which led to long working hours for employees.

Meanwhile, “in Canada, the province of Ontario has such a policy, and Australia’s Queensland state in December (2023) granted similar digital disconnection rights to teachers,” reads a report by The Washington Post.

7.Australia
Recently-A law is being worked out in Australia to disallow Employers to contact Employees after work hours.This would allow them to ignore any mails or messages related to work after work hours without any consequences.

Credit:Times of India