Most Australian workers now have a legal “right to disconnect,” allowing them to ignore unreasonable work-related contact from their employers outside of regular working hours. The new reforms, which took effect on August 26, apply to employees of non-small businesses, with the right set to extend to small businesses from August 26, 2025.
The “right to disconnect” means employees can refuse to respond to emails, calls, or texts from their employer outside of working hours unless the contact is considered “reasonable”. The reforms aim to promote better work-life balance by allowing employees to disconnect from work outside of their scheduled hours.
The new rules primarily apply to employees of non-small businesses, which are defined as those with 15 or more employees. The legislation will be extended to small businesses with fewer than 15 employees from August 26, 2025.
Whether contact is considered unreasonable will be determined by factors such as the nature of the contact, its urgency, and the employee’s role. The reforms are intended to provide employees with a clearer boundary between their work and personal life, allowing them to better manage their time and prioritize their well-being.
* The “right to disconnect” allows employees to refuse to respond to work-related contact outside of working hours unless it is considered “reasonable”.
* The right applies to employees of non-small businesses (15 or more employees) as of August 26, 2024, and will extend to small businesses from August 26, 2025.
* Contact is considered unreasonable based on factors such as its nature, urgency, and the employee’s role.
* The purpose of the “right to disconnect” is to promote better work-life balance by allowing employees to disconnect from work outside of their scheduled hours.
Source: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/hours-of-work-breaks-and-rosters/right-to-disconnect
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