As an employer, it is reasonable to expect that there may be circumstances requiring occasional contact with employees outside of regular working hours. This may occur when a project deadline approaches, an unforeseen issue arises, or there is an emergency. In such cases, out-of-hours communication is often deemed a normal expectation.
However, in today’s increasingly digital world, many employees feel they are on a “digital leash“, constantly available, always being reachable via phone, email, and instant messaging. To address this, the Australian Government has introduced new legislation granting employees in larger businesses the “right to disconnect‘. What does this mean for your team communications?
The “legal right to disconnect” means that employees are legally entitled to disengage from work communications outside of their standard working hours. While this does not prohibit an employer from making contact, it does provide employees with the right to decline participation in such communications.
It is important to note that this legislation applies to ‘non-small businesses’—those with 15 or more employees. Smaller and micro businesses, with fewer than 15 employees, are exempt from this rule.
For businesses with 15 or more employees, it is crucial to have clear discussions regarding the appropriate times and circumstances for contacting team members outside of regular working hours.
We invite you to contact us to discuss the new “right to disconnect” legislation and how it may affect your organisation.
