Australian workers might soon have the "right to disconnect," where employers cannot demand workers to attend to emails, phone calls, or texts outside regular work hours, or they may face fines.
The "Right to Disconnect" Proposed Bill
The "right to disconnect" is one of many proposed changes to industrial relations laws by the federal government, which it says would safeguard workers' rights and promote a healthier work-life balance. Similar laws allowing employees to disconnect from work devices are also practiced in France, Spain, and other European Union countries.
According to Employment Minister Tony Burke of the ruling center-left Labor party, most senators have expressed support for the legislation in a statement on Wednesday. The provision prevents employees from unpaid overtime by allowing them to disconnect from unreasonable contact after work hours, explained Burke.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters earlier on Wednesday that someone who isn't paid around the clock shouldn't be punished if they're not online and accessible around the clock.
Additional Measures of the Proposed Bill
The bill is anticipated to be presented in Parliament later this week. It also covers additional measures such as a more defined route from temporary to permanent employment and establishing minimum standards for temporary workers and truck drivers.
Growing Discussions Around the Proposal
Some politicians, employer groups, and corporate leaders cautioned that the right-to-disconnect provision might be excessive and could weaken the trend toward flexible working, affecting competitiveness.
Discussions are still underway regarding the specifics of the changes to industrial laws, with the "right to disconnect" being a recent addition following pressure from the Greens, arguing that employees are increasingly expected to work unpaid hours as work encroaches on personal time.
The left-wing Greens, who initially proposed and supported the rule last year, view it as a significant victory for the party. Greens leader Adam Bandt announced on Twitter that a deal had been made between Labor, smaller parties, and independents to back this bill.
Bandt stated that Australians work an average of six weeks of unpaid overtime each year, which amounts to over A$92 billion ($60.13 billion) in unpaid wages across the economy, adding, "That time is yours. Not your boss'."
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Bandt praised the chance for workers to ignore bosses when clocking off, but not everyone agrees, with some suggesting it encourages laziness or could affect their business.
Perth mayor Basil Zempilas questioned the proposal in a post on X, expressing doubts about whether it aligns with the principles to historically drive the country forward and enable hardworking individuals to succeed.
The proposed law would impose fines on those found guilty. Still, it would also include provisions allowing employers to contact staff outside of work hours if it's deemed "reasonable," such as filling a shift, explained Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke.
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