Voters again curbs on bosses contacting workers exterior working hours

A majority of voters would back new restrictions on bosses contacting staff outside working hours, a new poll has found.

The survey by Survation and shared with The Mirror today shows more than 50% would support the change – compared to just over 17% opposed. Labour has previously promised to introduce a “right to switch” off for workers so that their homes do not turn into 24/7 offices.

It forms part of the government’s New Deal for Working People, which the party has promised to introduce legislation for within the first 100 days. But rather than a blanket ban, Labour has proposed allowing workers and bosses to “have constructive conversations” and produce “bespoke workplace policies”.

The Aututomy Institute think-tank, which commissioned the polling, is now calling for the government to go further with its proposals. It suggests ministers should impose financial penalties on firms that ignore the policy.

The left-wing Labour MP Nadia Whittome said: “The Government has a real opportunity to help reset our work-life balance in this country by implementing the ‘right to switch off’. However, if the legislation is not robust enough, employers will find it far too easy to simply ignore it.”

The director of research at the Autonomy Institute, Will Stronge, added: “Giving too much power to employers to dictate the terms of new ‘Right to Switch Off’ legislation could risk seeing the policy fall by the wayside. A more substantial, full right to switch off would go one step further.

“As is the case in France and Portugal, this legislation would not only give workers the right to ignore out of hours contact from their employers but would also punish employers for ignoring the spirit of the legislation and repeatedly contacting workers.”

Survation interviewed 2,021 people online over the age of 18 between September 10 and 12 on behalf of the Autonomy Institute.