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you have work life balance?

you have work life balance?

if not, Australia just added legislation for it.

Mariam Mushtaq
August 27, 2024

Are you familiar with the concept of work-life integration?

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😰Disconnect to Reconnect: A New Era for Work-Life Balance?

In our last newsletter, we asked what you thought was the top shift in work preferences. While many of you selected “work-life balance,” the correct answer was actually “job security,” according to the BCG report. It’s no surprise that job security has shot to the top of the list, especially given the uncertainty and unexpected layoffs we've seen since the pandemic. 😰

But let’s not forget that work-life balance is still high on the list, and Australia’s recent legislation that came into play is turning up the volume on this conversation. 👂

Australia has just made waves by legally granting workers the right to disconnect from their jobs outside of work hours. Yep, you heard that right—no more after-hours emails or late-night calls from the boss. (or you don’t have to answer them at least!) 😶‍🌫️

The idea of protecting employees' personal time from work intrusions actually has its roots in France, where it was first recognized in the early 2000s by the French Supreme Court.

In 2017, France formally introduced the right to disconnect through the El Khomri Law, which was a response to the growing "always-on" culture that digital devices had created, blurring the lines between work and personal life. The legislation aimed to ensure that employees could truly disconnect outside of their working hours, without fear of repercussion from their employers. (as we all should!) 🙂

The introduction of this law was also a result of a 2016 study that discovered that 37% of workers were using professional digital tools (e.g. work mobile phones) outside of work hours and that 62% of workers wanted more controls and rules to regulate this

Since then, the concept has gained traction across Europe and beyond, with countries like Germany, Italy, and Australia adopting similar measures. In Germany, for example, several companies have implemented policies limiting after-hours communication, recognizing the impact of constant connectivity on employee mental health. 🧠

Unions Rejoice, Employers Hesitate 😬

In Australia, unions are hailing this as a historic victory, framing it as a much-needed step toward reclaiming work-life balance.

But of course, not everyone is cheering.

The debate will likely intensify as organizations try to navigate what this means for everyday operations. But one thing is certain: Australia is making a strong statement that personal time is sacred, and the right to disconnect is now a legal reality. 👏

What’s the Impact?

Experts state that this shouldn’t be seen as just another labor law, it’s more of a cultural shift. Encouraging employees to set boundaries and truly disconnect (crazy that we need a law for this, eh?) is just 1 out of MANY initiatives that can help prevent employee burnout.

Employees often feel an obligation to respond to their managers, even when they don’t have to. This hypervigilance can lead to heightened anxiety and burnout, undermining the very goals these laws aim to achieve.

With countries around the world adopting similar laws, this might be just the beginning of a global trend that could redefine workplace norms.

What does this mean for the future of work? Could this be a blueprint for other countries, or is it just another layer of complexity in an already challenging work environment? What do you think?

What’s your take on the “right to disconnect” law?

Source 1, 2, 3

What should we cover next?

P.S. we have received some of your suggestions, keep them coming! :)

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