By Thiloththama Jayasinghe, Jadetimes News
Australia has just introduced a "right to disconnect" law, which means that employees cannot be expected to read work communications outside of work hours, thus giving them the right to ignore the messages and calls. Prompted by the belief that the average Australian is working up to 281 hours overtime without pay per annum, this law allows employees not to respond to calls or messages outside working hours unless their failure to do so would be unreasonable.
Although this law does not prohibit employers from contacting their employees after working hours, it grants the workers some power in taking care of their work-life balance. FWC can intervene in disputed cases and issue fines to either party due to non-compliance with its orders.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions supports the law, citing it would help create a healthier work-life balance. Other experts also say that when employees are better rested, they can be more productive and take fewer sick days-a fact that ultimately benefits employers.
Still, reaction among workers has been divided, as some embraced the law as a necessity in helping them disconnect from pressures of constant connectivity, while others-mostly those in high-pressure industries such as finance-doubt it will bring changes in their work culture.
