
Australian employees now have the right to disconnect and refuse work-related communications outside of hours. In this blog, we unpack what these legal changes mean and how both employers and employees can benefit.
From August 26, 2024, employees in Australia will have the right to disconnect from work-related communications outside their working hours. This new protection, which is part of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No.2) Bill 2023, brings Australia in line with other nations like France, Belgium and Argentina where similar rights have been enacted to support employees’ work-life balance.
The right to disconnect is an increasingly important issue in an age where the lines between work-life and home-life are increasingly blurred. A recent study from Safe Work Australia found that 33% of workers are experiencing work-related mental health issues due to poor work-life balance. An absence of work-life balance can lead to burnout, a syndrome that results from chronic and unsuccessfully managed stress, among other factors. For organisations, this can mean increased absenteeism and turnover, as well as lower engagement and productivity.
From August 2024 the law will apply to organisations with 15 employees or more. It will be introduced for organisations with less than 15 employees from August 2025.
"Rather than fearing punishment for non-compliance, organisations should see this as an opportunity to improve workforce management, boost productivity, and enhance employee wellbeing."
Michael Bates, VP Legal at Sonder