Employers could soon be banned from contacting workers outside office hours, under Labour’s new ‘right to switch off’ plans – and we want to hear your thoughts on the measures.
The move will give employees the opportunity to disconnect from their jobs outside their allocated hours, including the right to refuse to take on extra work on weekends. Downing Street has said the plans will improve productivity and motivation, which in turn will boost the UK’s economic growth.
Discussing the plans, Keir Starmer’s deputy spokesperson said: “This is about ensuring people have some time to rest. Good employers understand that for workers to stay motivated and productive they do need to be able to switch off, and a culture presenteeism can be damaging to productivity.”
The rules also apply to annual leave, meaning bosses will not be able to ask staff to perform work-related duties while on holiday. There are currently no laws in place that prevent employers from forcing their staff to work out-of-hours.
The government has been inspired by models in Ireland and Belgium, where legislation is in place for workers to have the ‘right to disconnect’. Ministers are drawing up a code of practice – which will set out usual working hours and the circumstances when an employee can expect to be contacted.
Bosses who repeatedly breach this could be forced to stump up large sums in compensation if taken to a tribunal. However, the PM’s spokesperson highlighted that there cannot be a “one size fits all” approach, as workers have different roles and companies vary.
It comes amid concerns that work is increasingly creeping into peoples’ family time and raising the risk of burnout. Labour said: “Working from home does not become homes turning into 24/7 offices.”
Paul Nowak, the Trades Union Congress general secretary, added: “No one should be pushed to the brink because of their job. Ever-increasing hours, pace and expectations at work are causing problems up and down the country.
“This is a recipe for burnt-out Britain. So we welcome these measures to tackle work intensity. Introducing a right to switch off will let workers properly disconnect outside of working hours.”
The measures come as part of the government’s New Deal for Working People, and a recent Savanta poll revealed 69 percent backed the right to switch off. Do you think companies should be banned from contacting employees out of hours? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
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