Introduction
As part of the strategy for remote work, the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment committed to introducing in the first quarter of 2021 a new code of practice on the right to disconnect from work outside normal working hours. As promised, the new code of practice was signed on 31 March 2021. The code follows a public consultation and several months of public debate.(1)
The code aims to encourage employers to create a culture of good work-life balance and break bad habits whereby people feel obliged to respond to messages out of hours. Crucially, the code refers to a right to maintain clear boundaries between work and leisure time .
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The right to disconnect, a new code of practice that reinforces people s right not to answer calls or emails outside of working hours, should be a collaboration between employers and staff.
That s according to Síobhra Rush, an employment law expert and Partner at Lewis Silkin.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar signed the code of practice this week, meaning employees now officially have a right to a better work-life balance.
The new rules could lead to cases in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) when there are breaches of the right to disconnect.
It means people have a right to not have to work outside of normal hours; they can t be penalised for refusing to do so; and colleagues shouldn t routinely email or call outside of those times.
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A solicitor has said the new right to disconnect code of practice will actually take rights away from workers.
It comes as people now
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar signed the new code of practice, which means employees officially have a right to a better work-life balance.
The new rules could lead to cases in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) when there are breaches of the right to disconnect.
It means people have a right to not have to work outside of normal hours, they cannot be penalised for refusing to do so and colleagues should not routinely e-mail or call outside of those times.
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