Australia Employees' "Right To Disconnect”

Are you still getting urgent work emails on the weekends or texts from your boss after hours?

Fortunately for Australians, this is now a thing of the past!

Australian employees now have the right to ignore after-hours and weekend work calls or emails, thanks to a new "right to disconnect" law .

The new rule, which came into force on August 26, 2024, means employees, in most cases, cannot be punished for refusing to read or respond to messages from their employers outside of work hours.

Supporters say the law gives workers the confidence to stand up against the steady invasion of their personal lives by work emails, texts, and calls - a trend that has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic scrambled the division between home and work.

This law adds Australia to a group of roughly two dozen countries, mostly in Europe and Latin America, with similar laws.

However, to cater to emergencies and jobs with irregular hours, the rule still allows employers to contact their workers, who can only refuse to respond when it is reasonable to do so.

This move by Australia may set a precedent for other countries to adopt similar measures, emphasising the importance of mental well-being and personal time in an increasingly connected world.

Some might argue that remote work often blurs the lines between personal and professional life. However, with laws like Australia's "right to disconnect," it allows remote workers to fully disengage after hours, reducing burnout and promoting mental well-being.

Even better, if you're working remotely with asynchronous hours, you have the flexibility to set your own work schedule. This means you can maintain control over your time, working when it suits you best while still meeting deadlines.

It’s the ultimate way to ensure your personal time remains personal, even in a remote work setting!

Need some help getting a remote job that provides asynchronous hours?

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Stay rebellious,

Michelle

This week’s article is sponsored by Teacher’s Friend . Fulfill your dream of a remote life! Travel the world while making a difference! Teaching English abroad or online opens doors to remote work opportunities. Discover how to get started with Teacher’s Friend .