On Monday, workers throughout Australia can refuse to respond, read or monitor work messages from their boss. The right to disconnect looks to have most workplaces with more robust and frank conversations at the workplace, with Fair Work Ombudsman and a booth saying that any dispute should be first discussed and sought to be resolved at the workplace level. But how will this be enforced? Jhames Montemayor has this report.
Tag Archives: fair work commission
Australia’s New Right to Disconnect – ABC News
Millions of workers will now be able to clock off and leave the job behind them without needing to be available after hours, thanks to new laws. Under the right to disconnect, employees can refuse contact outside working hours, including calls and emails, unless their refusal is deemed unreasonable. Martijn Boersma is an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Work and Organizational Studies at the University of Sydney, he joins us now.
Continue reading Australia’s New Right to Disconnect – ABC News
How Workplaces Respond to Australia’s New Right to Disconnect Will Be Crucial
From today, Monday August 26, many employees in Australia get a new right, called the right to disconnect from work.
This entails the right to refuse to read or respond to work-related calls, texts and emails outside their working hours, unless that refusal is unreasonable.
The Fair Work Commission says what will matter is whether the refusal is unreasonable, rather than whether the attempted contact is unreasonable.
Among the things that will determine whether a refusal is unreasonable are the employee’s role, their personal circumstances, the method and reason for
the contact, how much disruption it causes them and whether they are compensated for being available or for working additional hours.
Those working for small businesses (with fewer than 15 employees) get the right to disconnect in August 2025.
Continue reading How Workplaces Respond to Australia’s New Right to Disconnect Will Be Crucial