On Monday, Australia granted millions of workers the legal right to 'disconnect', enabling them to disregard unreasonable after-hours calls, emails, and texts from their employers. This new legislation allows employees to decline to monitor, read, or respond to their employers' attempts to reach them outside of their designated work hours, unless such a refusal is considered 'unreasonable'. Unions have applauded this move, highlighting its role in helping workers achieve a better work-life balance. 'Today marks a historic day for working people,' stated Michele O'Neil, president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, who added, 'Australian unions have reclaimed the right to knock off after work.'
In Sydney, the public seemed to embrace the change. 'I struggle to disconnect, and even if I'm not logged on, my mind is always working overtime,' shared Karolina Joseski, a worker at a not-for-profit organization. 'Receiving an after-hour call from my boss doesn't help.' However, the Australian Industry Group has expressed a lukewarm reception to the new laws, describing them as 'rushed, poorly thought out, and deeply confusing.' They anticipate uncertainty among employers and employees regarding the appropriateness of out-of-hours calls for additional shifts.
This law mirrors similar regulations in some European and Latin American countries. According to University of Sydney associate professor Chris Wright, research shows that the right to disconnect is beneficial for employees. A study by the EU work-related agency Eurofound revealed that over 70% of workers in EU companies with a right to disconnect policy viewed its impact positively. Wright noted that 'availability creep' due to smartphones and other digital devices has blurred the lines between work and personal life, making this measure crucial for restoring some boundaries.
The Australian law, which came into effect in February, is now enforceable for medium and large companies, while smaller firms with fewer than 15 employees will be included from August 26, 2025. Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth emphasized the need for a 'commonsense approach' in applying the new law. The legislation allows for tribunals to intervene if workers unreasonably refuse out-of-hours contact or if employers unreasonably demand responses. Determining what is reasonable will depend on various factors including the reason for contact, the nature of the employee's role, and their compensation for extra hours or availability.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the reform, highlighting its importance for mental health and the ability to disconnect from work to reconnect with family and personal life. 'We want to ensure that just as people don't get paid 24 hours a day, they don't have to work for 24 hours a day,' he stated during an interview with national broadcaster ABC.
