Millions of Workers Can Now Break Calls From Work After Hours

Millions of Australian workers now officially have the right to disconnect from work after hours, in line with the government's sweeping industrial relations reforms.

Source: AAP

You no longer need to pick up the phone - because workers in Australia now have the official right to disconnect, as Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt explains.

We all understand the benefits of technology, the mobile phones, the text messages, the emails. But we have to recognise sometimes they have a downside, especially when it comes to the intrusion that technology can have on people's private lives outside working hours.

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt

The rule does not apply to businesses with fewer than 15 employees.

And if your employer contacts you too often outside working hours, you can make a complaint to the Fair Work Commission.

Business groups criticised the change, while labour relations experts said it might be difficult to enforce.

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