Maurice Blackburn Lawyers’ Post

In an age of AI workers, where many employees fear being replaced by technology, should we humans be so entitled that we can switch off from work? Many countries are adopting healthier work boundaries. And at least discussing a 'right to disconnect' law, giving workers the power to ghost work-related communications outside of office hours without fear of being fired. This innovation aims to restore that elusive work-life balance and tackle the unpaid overtime beast that's been running wild, especially since COVID-19 turned living rooms into offices. While this move has been met with enthusiasm from workers and unions, it faces backlash from employees who see potential dips in productivity as a result of not always being available Thoughts?

📱 Our recent Burnout Report revealed that 54% of adults in the UK agreed that ‘regularly working unpaid overtime beyond contracted hours’ had caused them stress and may have contributed to burnout in the past year. Proposed legislation in Australia could create a new 'right to 'disconnect' — preventing employees being punished for refusing to take unreasonable work calls or answer emails in their unpaid personal time, and allowing them to raise a complaint about intrusive phone calls or the expectation they answer work emails out-of-hours with their employer.   Is this something that's affected your working life? Do you think the right to disconnect should become law in the UK? Let us know in the comments. Story 👇 https://bit.ly/3UEQZiT

Labour’s proposal for a "right to switch off" could protect employees from being contacted outside working hours. This aims to improve work-life balance and may lead to compensation for employees regularly disturbed after hours. The policy follows similar laws in France and Belgium. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dMYsHydB #RightToSwitchOff #WorkLifeBalance #LabourPolicy #WorkersRights #EmployeeWellbeing

An interesting article from Lawyers Weekly on the right to disconnect bill currently before parliament. The Fair Work Amendment (Right to Disconnect) Bill 2023, if passed, will mean that employees are not required to “monitor, read or respond to work communications from their employer outside of work hours”, and all modern awards will be updated to include a standard “right to disconnect” term. The “right to disconnect” has gained considerable traction since the pandemic, with countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Belgium introducing similar laws to protect workers’ rights. With burnout a significant issue in the legal profession, we are keen to hear what you think. Do you agree with the proposed changes? Are they fair or is doing extra overtime part of a lawyer's lot in life? #righttodisconnect #lawyer #auslaw

Important Update for Employers! Starting 26 August 2024, employees will have the right to disconnect from work communications outside of working hours. 📵 Learn what this means for your business and how to prepare for these changes 👉 https://lnkd.in/gr9GT8RH 🔗 Access our concise Closing Loopholes Bill summary and guide to understand the proposed changes to the Fair Work Act and their implications for employers. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gBJkJRXH Need further assistance? Contact us at [email protected] or speak with a team member directly through this link 👉 https://lnkd.in/gnxjqGAx #HRUpdate #FairWork #Australia #News #EmployeeRelations #ER #EmploymentLaw #HR #BusinessCompliance #SmallBusiness #Compliance #EmployeeMatters

Should employers be allowed to contact their staff outside of work hours? A Senate committee is recommending Australian workers be given the right to disconnect, which could mean no emails or phone calls from their boss after hours. But the small business community has some legitimate concerns about what this would mean for SMEs. #work #industrialrelations #righttodisconnect #workhours #career #smallbusiness SmartCompany

🔗 Access our concise Closing Loopholes Bill summary and guide to understand the proposed changes to the Fair Work Act and their implications for employers. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g5YbQBwg

Recently, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act was enacted as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing reform of the Australian workplace relations system. The most highly publicised change introduced by the new legislation is the right of employees to disconnect from work outside of their working hours. However, the legislation introduces a number of other important changes that employers should be aware of. Read the article by Martin Alden, Partner, and Veronica Voulgaris, Senior Associate, outlining the 5 key changes and the implications for employers. #Cornwallslaw #ourpeople #employmentlaw #RightToDisconnect #HR #FairWork

😃 Australia gives workers right to ignore bosses’ after-hours calls, emails The country is the latest to pass legislation granting a ‘right to disconnect’ outside of work hours. Workplaces that breach the rules, which will be enforced by the country’s Fair Work Commission tribunal, face fines of up to 93,900 Australian dollars ($63,805). Australia is extending its laidback reputation to the workplace by granting employees a “right to disconnect” when they are off the clock. Australian workers on Monday gained the legal right to ignore emails and phone calls from bosses outside of work hours, unless doing so is deemed “unreasonable”. The law is Australia’s response to the blurring of boundaries between people’s professional and personal lives amid employers’ growing reliance on digital communications and the popularity of remote working since the COVID-19 pandemic. Australia’s centre-left Labor Party hopes the measure – introduced as part of a package of labour reforms that includes new rules for casual employment and minimum wage standards for delivery riders – will ease pressure on workers to monitor their phone when they are supposed to be relaxing and spending time with their loved ones. “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,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a news conference introducing the legislation in February. Workplaces that breach the rules, which will be enforced by the country’s Fair Work Commission tribunal, face fines of up to 93,900 Australian dollars ($63,805). Australia is not the first country to introduce a right to disconnect from work. In 2017, France introduced legislation to protect workers from being punished for not replying to messages outside of work hours, while Germany, Italy and Canada have adopted similar measures. https://lnkd.in/dvqiQXaj

🚨 Australia Introduces Right to Disconnect 📵 (Source: BBC News) As of August 2024, Australians now have the right to disconnect from work after hours without fear of punishment! This new law empowers employees to ignore after-hours communications, promoting better work-life balance and reducing burnout. 🔑 Key Points: • The law doesn’t ban employers from contacting workers but allows employees to choose not to respond unless it’s unreasonable. • With 281 hours of unpaid overtime reported annually, this new rule offers relief to overworked Australians. • Countries like France and Spain already have similar regulations, highlighting a global shift toward protecting employee well-being. • Experts suggest that a rested workforce leads to fewer sick days and increased productivity, benefiting both employees and businesses. This is a major step forward for workplace culture, encouraging a healthier balance between work and personal life! 🌱 👉 More here: https://lnkd.in/eVR43Jrj. #RightToDisconnect #WorkLifeBalance #EmployeeWellbeing #FutureOfWork #AgileWorking #FlexibleWorking