SYDNEY – The “Right to Disconnect” law began taking effect on Monday after its adoption in February, allowing workers in medium and large businesses to disengage from work outside of their working hours.
“The right to disconnect will also enable an employee to refuse to monitor, read, or respond to work-related contact, or attempted contact, from a third party,” said the Australian Public Service Commission.
The new law will be implemented for small businesses with fewer than 15 employees until August 26, 2025.
On one hand, the Australian Council of Trade Unions and others praised the law, describing it as “a historic day for employees.”
“Employees will have a definitive end to their working day and no longer carry the burden of continuing to be contactable about work-related matters in their private time, unless certain reasonable exceptions apply,” said Dr. Gabrielle Golding from the University of Adelaide’s law school.
On the other hand, the Australian Industry Group, an employers’ organisation, expressed reservations. “Employers and employees will no longer know whether they can accept or make a call outside of work hours to offer or request overtime,” the organisation stated.
Similar laws granting employees the right to disconnect from work and switch off their mobile devices are already in place in France, Germany, and other European Union countries.
