Australia Passes 'Right to Disconnect' Bill for Workers
The legislation, aimed at improving work-life balance, faces criticism from business leaders and awaits final approval in the House of Representatives.
- Australia's Senate passes a bill granting workers the right to ignore work-related calls and emails outside of office hours, aiming to restore work-life balance.
- The legislation, facing criticism from business leaders as 'rushed and flawed,' includes provisions for temporary to permanent work pathways and minimum standards for temporary workers.
- The 'right to disconnect' aligns Australia with several European countries and aims to protect employees from unpaid overtime and unreasonable intrusion into personal time.
- Disputes over after-hours contact can be escalated to Australia's Fair Work Commission for resolution, with potential fines for employers violating the rule.
- The bill must return to the House of Representatives for final approval, amid concerns over criminal penalties for employers and calls for legislative fixes.
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