The news
Australians can now refuse to monitor, read or respond to work communication outside of paid hours unless doing so is unreasonable, after right-to-disconnect laws came into effect on Monday.
The right to disconnect doesn’t apply to emergencies, and working out what’s reasonable includes the reason for making contact, how disruptive it is, the nature of someone’s job and their personal circumstances, including caring responsibilities.
A legal right to disconnect has taken effect for Australian companies with 15 or more employees. Smaller businesses are to follow next year. Credit: iStock
The laws have sparked fierce political debate from unions, business groups and other advocates, including Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who has vowed to overturn them if elected.
But now the dust on Australia’s new industrial relations reality has settled, what if you still come home to find late-night Slack messages …