A new law has come into effect that allows employees to ignore communications from employers after hours.
A « right to disconnect » rule has come into effect in Australia, offering relief to people who feel forced to take calls or read messages from employers after they finish their day’s work.
The new law allows employees to ignore communications after hours if they choose to, without fear of being punished by their bosses.
A survey published last year estimated that Australians worked on average two hundred and eighty one hours of unpaid overtime annually.
More than 20 countries, mainly in Europe and Latin America, have similar rules.
The law does not ban employers from contacting workers after hours.
Instead, it gives staff the right not to reply unless their refusal is deemed unreasonable.
