Right to Disconnect: 10 countries where you can ignore calls and emails after work
Australia will soon enact legislation giving employees the right to disconnect after office hours, with potential fines for employers who violate the rule.
Australia
In February 2024, the country passed a law allowing civil servants to turn off work emails, texts, and phone calls received after hours without fear of reprisal. Plans are being discussed to apply the new laws to employees in the private sector.
Belgium
In 2017, the country passed legislation requiring companies with more than 50 employees to negotiate with workers about their right to disconnect and to specify the hours when employees should not send or respond to emails.
France
In 2019, the country passed legislation granting employees the right to digital disconnection outside of working hours, as well as the right to privacy when using digital devices at work.
Spain
Since 1 April, 2021, Argentina has a new remote work law granting employees the right to disconnect, ensuring limits on work hours, and allowing employees to disengage from work-related communication outside of their designated hours.
Argentina
Austria lacks specific legislation akin to Belgium regarding the right to disconnect, yet adheres to strict rest period regulations under the Austrian Working Time Act, indirectly limiting round-the-clock work flexibility.
Austria
In Chile, employees engaged in remote work have the right to disconnect, choosing their working hours freely, with a mandatory minimum of 12 consecutive hours of disconnection within a 24-hour period.
Chile
Despite lacking explicit regulation, some companies, like VW, have pioneered voluntary works agreements addressing the right to disconnect in Germany.
Germany
In Luxembourg, the 2023 law mandates employers to establish the right to disconnect, either through collective agreements or individual arrangements, ensuring employees' freedom from work-related communication outside working hours.
Luxembourg
In Ukraine, remote workers have the right to disconnect during designated rest periods without violating employment terms. Failure to respect this can result in fines for employers.
Ukraine
Countries with fastest internet speed in the world