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Tengrinews.kz - Australian workers now have a legal right to ignore work-related calls and messages outside of working hours, according to Daily Mail.
New workplace regulations have come into effect in Australia, allowing employees to legally decline monitoring, reading, and responding to work-related communications outside of paid work hours unless it's deemed a reasonable requirement. This initiative, aimed at restoring a better work-life balance, has sparked debate among business leaders and politicians.
Murray Watt, the Minister for Workplace Relations, noted that the reasonableness of such requests will depend on the employee’s position and the nature of their work, urging workers to discuss these issues with their employers.
“The main goal of these changes is to give people a bit more work-life balance,” said Senator Watt.
He emphasized the importance of respecting employees' personal time, especially when they are not compensated for work done outside of regular hours.
These new rules are expected to benefit workers who find themselves constantly checking their phones for updates on work chats and responding to messages from management at all hours.
However, the introduction of these laws has sparked intense political debate. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has vowed to repeal the laws if elected, arguing that they could harm small businesses and Australia's competitiveness.
The new rules do not apply in emergency situations, and the definition of "reasonableness" remains broad, taking into account various factors, including the worker's circumstances and the nature of their job. Business representatives have expressed concerns about the practical application of these regulations, fearing they might introduce additional bureaucratic burdens.
