New law in Australia: Right to switch off for employees

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Australia is introducing a law giving workers the right to be unavailable after work to reduce stress.

Australien führt ein Gesetz ein, das Arbeitnehmern nach Feierabend das Recht auf Nichterreichbarkeit gewährt, um Stress zu reduzieren.
Australia is introducing a law giving workers the right to be unavailable after work to reduce stress.

New law in Australia: Right to switch off for employees

There is a major innovation in Australia designed to help workers improve their work-life balance. A new law that is now coming into force allows millions of employees to switch off after work and no longer be reachable by their employers. In a world where constant availability often causes stress and psychological distress, this law is a ray of hope for many.

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment was passed by Parliament in February and sets new standards for work-life balance in Australia. Employees who work in medium and large companies can happily turn off their cell phones after work and no longer have to respond to emails after work. However, this does not apply immediately to companies with fewer than 15 employees, where the regulations will only come into effect in a year. However, there are exceptions, such as work-related emergencies, in which appropriate accessibility may be required.

Important voices on the change in the law

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized in an interview with Australian broadcaster ABC how important it is that people do not have to be there for their employers 24 hours a day. "It's also about mental health. People need to be able to step away from their work and take time for their families and their own lives," he explained. This view is supported by various studies that show that Australia has a rather weak work-life balance compared to other countries.

The international comparisons are revealing: similar laws have already been introduced in around 25 countries, including France. In France, since 2017, larger companies have been obliged to grant their employees the “right to switch off”. This development shows a trend towards greater consideration of the needs of employees in the modern world of work.

Nevertheless, there is also criticism of this new law from business. Industry association Ai Group expressed concerns, calling the reform “hasty, ill-conceived and very confusing.” They argue that both employers and employees are now in the dark about whether they can contact their colleagues outside of working hours, particularly when it comes to offering extra shifts. Such uncertainties can further complicate the work environment.

For a concise comparison, it is worth taking a look at the regulations in Germany. There are clear guidelines in this country: If there are defined working hours, it is usually not necessary to be reachable outside of these times. However, there are exceptions in cases such as on-call duty, where employees are obliged to be available. If you look at managers, there may even be contractual obligations that require them to be available outside of normal working hours.

The developments in Australia could potentially lead to a rethink in other parts of the world, including Germany. The balance between work and leisure is a central factor for the mental health and general well-being of employees. It remains to be seen how this change in the law will affect work culture in Australia and whether similar measures will gain strength in other countries.