Right to Disconnect Laws

Every year around this time, I take a technology sabbath, disconnecting from the Internet, putting my cell phone in my Faraday cage, and ignoring the world. This has saved me a ton of stress and provided mental relief from today's hectic society.

With the increased use of mobile devices in the workplace, the digital age has blurred the lines between work and personal life, leading to stress, burnout, and a negative impact on some employees’ health and well-being. And to address the issue, the ‘Right to Disconnect’ law is gaining traction worldwide.

The Right to Disconnect refers to the legal right of employees to switch off from work-related activities outside of their contracted hours. This includes not checking work emails or responding to queries. Ultimately, this policy would ensure that employees are not penalized for ignoring messages outside their designated working hours.

The Stormont Executive recognises the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially in the context of flexible working arrangements. The Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill includes a proposal for a new right to disconnect.

Countries like France, Belgium, and Australia have implemented statutory rights to disconnect after working hours, which have yielded positive results.

In Ireland, the Right to Disconnect has been established through a voluntary code of practice supported by the Workplace Relations Commission. In the UK, the concept is gaining momentum with the Labour Government considering the introduction of a “right to switch off” through a code of practice similar to the Irish and Belgian models.