Right to Disconnect Gives Australians Legal Cover to Ignore After-Hours Emails and Calls
Millions of Australians can now clock off from work without being available after hours. The new 'Right to Disconnect' laws allow employees to refuse work-related calls and emails outside their working hours unless the refusal is deemed unreasonable. This aims to limit the expectation of being constantly available, reduce the impact of the 'digital leash', and promote a healthier work-life balance.
What does this mean for you? Employers can still reach out after hours, but employees aren’t obligated to respond unless it’s legally required or considered reasonable based on their role, the nature of the contact, and personal circumstances.
These laws represent a significant shift in the Australian workplace, empowering employees to reclaim their personal time. For small businesses, the 'Right to Disconnect' laws will come into effect on 26 August 2025, giving them more time to adapt.
Curious about how this impacts you or your business? Watch Natasha Hawker's interview on ABC News with Michael Rowland and Bridget Brennan for an in-depth discussion on the implications of this legislation and what businesses and employees need to know moving forward.
About Natasha Hawker
Natasha Hawker is a highly experienced employee expert, speaker, author and entrepreneur. Her forte lies in understanding and communicating all aspects of HR, people management, and employment relations. With nearly three decades as a presenter, her reach extends internationally, sharing her knowledge with audiences in Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, USA, France, India, and the UK.
About Employee Matters
Founded by Natasha Hawker in 2011, Employee Matters offers businesses top-tier, in-house HR and recruitment expertise. Specialising in helping SMEs to become more profitable, grow, and build sustainable businesses, Employee Matters is Australia’s go-to resource for all employment issues and challenges. As a finalist in the 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards, Employee Matters continues to set the standard for excellence in HR services. https://www.employeematters.com.au/
More information on Right to Disconnect Laws available HERE
Media interviews, please contact:
eckfactor – Karen Eck 0438 532 569, Karen@eckfactor.com
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