Australians could soon enjoy more time off from work, as the federal government proposes a bill that would give workers the right to disconnect from their bosses’ calls and messages outside of work hours.
The federal government has proposed a parliamentary bill that would give workers the right to disconnect from their bosses’ calls and messages outside of work hours without facing any penalty. Employers who violate this rule could be fined.
The bill, which aims to protect workers’ rights and improve work-life balance, includes a “right to disconnect” provision among other changes to industrial relations laws. This provision would prevent employees from working unpaid overtime due to unreasonable contact out of hours, Employment Minister Tony Burke from the governing Labor party said on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on the same day that the bill was based on the principle 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.”
The bill is likely to be introduced in parliament later this week, with the support of a majority of senators. Similar laws are already in effect in France, Spain and other European Union countries. The proposal also contains other measures such as a clearer pathway from temporary to permanent work and minimum standards for temporary workers and truck driver.
However, some politicians, employer groups and corporate leaders criticised the right to disconnect provision as an overreach that would harm the flexibility and competitiveness of the workforce.
The Greens, a left-wing party that first suggested the rule last year, celebrated the bill as a major victory. Greens leader Adam Bandt tweeted that Australians work an average of six weeks unpaid overtime each year, which amounts to more than A$92 billion ($60.13 billion) in unpaid wages across the economy. “That time is yours. Not your boss’.”