Navigating the 'Right to Disconnect': A Paradigm Shift in Hybrid Work-Life Balance
Kirryn Zerna
?? Communication & Connection Keynote Speaker | LinkedIn Top Communication Voice | Non Executive Director | Author | GAICD | MMgt | BComm |
Okay, imagine this: you've just wrapped up your hybrid working day, looking forward to a peaceful evening, and then 'ping'—an email from work. Then ping another one. Do you reply? Do you leave it until tomorrow? Whatever you choose… your mind is no longer on downtime; it’s on work.
Could a 'Right to Disconnect' law be the game-changer you've been waiting for in this hybrid work environment? Picture a world where after-work hours are truly yours, no more intrusive emails, and no more being on-call around the clock.
Legislating Employee’s 'Right to Disconnect'
In March 2023, the Fair Work Amendment (Right to Disconnect) Bill 2023 was presented in Parliament. The bill “prohibits an employer from contacting an employee outside of their working hours unless there's a genuine urgency for it.”
(HRD Australia 2023).
Australia's consideration of 'right to disconnect' laws follows a trend observed in European countries. Notably, France paved the way by introducing legislation in 2017 that grants employees the right to disconnect from technology after work hours.
Flexibly unflexible?
As reported in an article by AFR , lawyers and employer groups argue that a universal right to disconnect, enabling employees to disregard work calls and emails after hours unless it's an emergency, might be too inflexible.
Instead, they propose that individual firms and their employees should be allowed to negotiate their own policies. This approach was recently witnessed in the Finance Sector Union's interactions with ANZ, NAB, and Bank of Queensland, ensuring workers have the ability to disconnect from work .
So what’s your take?
Will this legislation help you regain control over your time, your sanity, and allow you to reconnect with what truly matters in terms of connection and communication?
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Or should this responsibility be left to individual firms and their employees to negotiate their own policies, ensuring workers can disconnect from work in this new hybrid era?
And for those outside Australia, what's working in your part of the world regarding the 'Right to Disconnect'—a crucial step in reshaping the dynamics of hybrid work-life balance and fostering better connection and communication?
Join the conversation and share your thoughts on the 'Right to Disconnect'—a crucial step in reshaping the dynamics of work-life balance. Will it help You? Or Hinder You?
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9 个月Very interesting Kirryn Zerna and it all depends on each person’s perspective, environment, demands and priorities. I see with coaching clients in particular industries how demanding the constant emails can be. Although it depends on their leaders expectations and company culture. I believe laws are helpful for people who don’t have the power to advocate for themselves. Company Policies are helpful for people to know what they can work with and what the expectations are. However personally, I’d prefer to negotiate with my employer (if I was employed rather than have my own business) based on a range of factors.
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9 个月I have always had my notifications set so the only ones I get are Phone Calls and Text messages. Anything else can wait. That way I CHOOSE what to look at when. Technology is like fire. It is a brilliant tool and a poor master. Too many of us become enslaved to the tech. It is one of the reasons I have cancelled my X account and taken Instagram off my phone. They don't add value to my life.
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9 个月Isn’t this all just so interesting Kirryn?! As a small business owner there’s nothing more exciting than an email whatever time of day because it could be a booking! I don’t care if it arrives at midnight! But you’re so right that the brain then never switches off and for workers this can’t be good. I’m watching this with great interest.