Right to disconnect law comes into force in Australia

Australia has introduced a so-called right to disconnect rule, offering what is claimed to be ‘significant relief’ to employees who feel pressured to respond to work-related calls or messages outside of their official working hours. The new legislation allows employees to ignore communications after hours without fearing repercussions from their employers.

This move follows a survey conducted last year, which estimated that Australians worked an average of 281 hours of unpaid overtime annually. The law seeks to curb this trend by empowering workers to better balance their work and personal lives.

In the UK, the government is reportedly considering similar legislation to address the growing concerns around work-life balance. With remote work becoming more prevalent, the need for a “right to disconnect” is gaining traction among British workers. Proposals are in the early stages, with consultations planned to explore how such a law could be tailored to the UK workforce.

Advocates argue that such a move could significantly reduce burnout and improve overall productivity, while critics worry about its implementation across different industries. As discussions continue, the UK could soon join the growing list of countries prioritizing employees’ rights to disconnect from work.

Australia’s decision aligns it with more than 20 other countries, primarily in Europe and Latin America, that have implemented similar rules. However, the Australian law does not outright ban employers from contacting their staff after hours. Instead, it grants employees the right to not respond unless their refusal is deemed unreasonable by a third party.

In cases where disputes arise, the law encourages employers and employees to resolve them independently. If that fails, Australia’s Fair Work Commission (FWC) can step in to mediate. The FWC has the authority to order an employer to cease after-hours contact or to compel an employee to respond if their refusal is deemed unjustified. Non-compliance with these orders can lead to significant fines, reaching up to A$19,000 ($12,897; £9,762) for individuals and A$94,000 for companies.

Worker advocacy groups have praised the new law, seeing it as a step towards healthier work environments. The Australian Council of Trade Unions expressed that the legislation “will empower workers to refuse unreasonable out-of-hours work contact, enabling greater work-life balance.”