'Right to disconnect' to turn off digital devices and refuse to contact work during non-working hours is promoted in Europe
The pandemic of the new coronavirus has forced many to dramatically change the way they work, with one-third of workers working from home in EU countries. As the line between work and private life becomes blurred,
MEPs call for an EU-wide “right to disconnect” | News | European Parliament
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201126IPR92512/meps-call-for-an-eu-wide-right-to-disconnect
EU pushes for ′ right to disconnect ′ from work at home | News | DW | 02.12.2020
EU pushes for'right to disconnect' from work at home --The Malta Independent
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2020-12-03/local-news/EU-pushes-for-right-to-disconnect-from-work-at-home-6736229138
On December 1, 2020, the European Parliament's Employment Commission voted for and disagreed with a resolution by EU countries to guarantee the 'right to disconnect' for workers to turn off work-related digital devices during off-hours. It was passed with 18 votes and abstention. The Employment Commission states that guaranteeing the right to disconnect is essential to protect the health of workers.
Lawmakers in favor of the resolution pointed out that the expectation that 'workers are always online and always available for work contact' could impair work-life balance, physical and mental health, and well-being. To remedy this problem, he argued that workers should be granted the right to turn off digital devices without retaliation from their employers.
At the time of writing the article, EU law does not explicitly define the right to disconnect, so the Employment Commission will request that the EU Directive on the right to disconnect be proposed. A non-legislative resolution on the right to disconnect will be voted in the European Parliament in 2021 for future regulatory enforcement.
Alex Agius Saliba , a socialist politician in the Republic of Malta who led the drafting of the resolution, said the pandemic had radically changed people's labor. The guarantee of the right to disconnect corresponds to the 'new reality' of workers.
'After months of working from home, many workers suffer from negative effects such as isolation and tiredness, depression, burnout, and muscle and eye ailments,' Sulliva said. He claims that the increasing pressure to be online is causing unpaid overtime and burnout.
“Digitalization has brought many benefits to employees, including increased flexibility and reduced commuting, but there are also pitfalls. The pressure is that employees are always in touch and always available,” said Saliba. Working hours have been extended and not always fairly compensated. The line between work and private is blurred, 'he said, saying that the right to disconnect is needed.
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