Right to Disconnect!

Australia is the first country in the world to work on legislation around the "Right to Disconnect," which gives employees the right to disconnect from work when they are off-duty. The legislation aims to prevent managers and colleagues from contacting employees during their personal time. There is a lot of research behind this initiative, and I completely agree that the feeling of always needing to be available can significantly increase stress.

How is it at your workplace? How would such legislation affect your collaboration? Several countries, like France, Argentina, and Ireland, have already embraced similar ideas.

I often notice that people, even in the public sector in Sweden, send emails, make phone calls, and communicate during evenings and weekends. Research shows that this affects family life, stress levels, and workplace efficiency. When the boundaries between work and personal time become blurred, it becomes difficult to navigate. I frequently talk to managers who feel guilty about not having time for their families. Perhaps legislation is needed to help us set those necessary boundaries.

However, I also believe we need to take responsibility for our own health and well-being. In my next post, I’ll return to the topic of personal responsibility in relation to the “Right to Disconnect.”

Sometimes, we can learn something from children. An HR manager I know was deeply moved when the daycare staff told him that his young daughter said, “My dad isn’t married to my mom, he’s married to his job.”

What are your thoughts on this post?

Have a brilliant day!

Ulf Lidman

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