Australia is set to implement legislation that would provide employees the freedom to refuse irrational calls and messages from their supervisors during non-working hours, Reuters reported.
Therefore, employers that violate this policy may face penalties.
The “right to disconnect” is one of several amendments to Australia labor rules that the federal government is proposing as part of a legislative package that it claims would uphold workers’ rights and promote work-life balance.
France, Spain, and other European Union nations already have legislation granting their employees the ability to turn off their gadgets. Now Australia is adopting the same policy for their employees as well.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by Employment Minister Tony Burke of the ruling center-left Labor party, the majority of senators have now stated their support for the measure.
According to Burke, the clause prevents workers from putting in unpaid overtime by giving them the option to break off any unjustified communication after hours.
“What we are simply saying is that someone who isn’t being paid 24 hours a day shouldn’t be penalised if they’re not online and available 24 hours a day,” Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters earlier on Wednesday.
Later this week, the measure is anticipated to be submitted to parliament.
Other aspects of the measure include minimum criteria for truck drivers and temporary workers . As well as a more transparent transition from temporary to permanent employment.
Politicians, employer associations, and business executives expressed concerns that the freedom to disconnect clause went too far. It would hurt the shift to flexible work arrangements and reduce competitiveness.
It was a major victory for the party by the left-wing Greens. The party proposed the regulation the previous year and still support it.
Adam Bandt, the leader of the Greens, tweeted that there is also a compromise between Labor, minor parties, and independents to support this measure.
“Australians work an average of six weeks unpaid overtime each year,” Bandt stated.
He continued by saying that this translated to almost A$92 billion ($60.13 billion) in unpaid salaries throughout the economy.
