‘Right to ignore’: Australia to allow workers to shun calls, texts from bosses after work hours

 A landmark law that might be the cause of envy for workers across the globe, Australia is planning to introduce legislation that gives employees the right to ignore unreasonable calls and messages from their bosses outside of work hours.

The “right to disconnect” is part of a multitude of changes being brought to the industrial relations laws proposed by the federal government under a parliamentary bill. The Labor party said the bill had won the support of the majority of senators.

According to the proposed bill set to be tabled in the parliament next week, employees who feel they are being unnecessarily contacted or hassled should first raise the issue with the employer. If the issue remains unresolved, they can escalate it by taking the case to the Fair Work Commission for a stop order, which could result in fines if the employer fails to comply.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is of the view that these changes would safeguard workers’s rights and restore a healthy work-life balance.

“What we are simply saying is that someone who isn’t being paid 24 hours a day shouldn’t be penalised if they’re not online and available 24 hours a day,” Albanese told reporters.