Workers will have the right to ignore their boss after clocking off under new Australian laws - with bosses facing criminal penalties if they keep offending
Daily MailFEB 3 2024
The Spin
Narrative A
The right to disconnect will rid Australians of "availability creep," where employees are expected to work outside office hours. This trend, exacerbated by smartphones and remote work during COVID, has led to significant unpaid overtime and mental and physical health issues. The law will restore work-life balance and protect employees from unpaid labor.
Narrative B
This law will reduce workplace productivity, potentially by disrupting the existing consensus on workplace flexibility. There are concerns about the law's lack of clarity, as well as its potential negative impacts on employment opportunities and employer-employee relationships.