Labour’s Plan for Right to Disconnect

The Labour government has announced exciting plans for workers, introducing a ‘right to switch off’. This move aims to ensure that homes don’t turn into ’24/7 offices’, allowing employees the freedom to ignore work calls and emails outside of their regular working hours.

According to Downing Street, this initiative is part of a larger effort to improve the UK’s productivity levels and prevent worker burnout. The government looks to successful models in countries like Ireland and Belgium, where similar rights to disconnect have already been implemented.

Sir Keir Starmer‘s spokesperson emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear line between home life and work. They noted that the purpose behind this policy is to ensure both employees and businesses have arrangements that promote productivity.

The details of this ‘right to switch off’ are still being fine-tuned. An insider mentioned that it is crucial for the arrangements to be mutually agreed upon between employers and employees, rather than imposed from above.

In Ireland, a Code of Practice was introduced in 2021 that encourages employers to collaborate with employees on implementing a right to disconnect. While the code itself isn’t legally binding, it could serve as evidence in cases of employment rights disputes.

Countries like France and Spain have had similar regulations for years, with France giving employees the legal right to avoid work emails outside of their normal hours since 2017. The goal of Labour’s initiative is part of their ‘New Deal for Working People’.

This plan emphasizes the importance of constructive conversations between workers and employers to develop workplace policies that benefit both parties.