Workers to get right to ignore emails after hours under new guidance
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/workers-to-get-right-to-ignore-emails-after-hours-under-new-guidance-3178306
Posted by theipaper
Workers to get right to ignore emails after hours under new guidance
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/workers-to-get-right-to-ignore-emails-after-hours-under-new-guidance-3178306
Posted by theipaper
25 Comments
Workers would be able to ignore emails outside office hours under new guidance for employers to be introduced by [Labour.](https://inews.co.uk/category/news/politics/labour?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-uK0BhC0ARIsANQtgGMX_BojqIbdtu3ozKsQz0KF7uPEl1EBhE-0f30cyfqYVCaIbe3XA1gaAuEyEALw_wcB?ico=in-line_link)
[Keir Starmer’s government](https://inews.co.uk/news/king-speech-state-opening-parliament-keir-starmer-live-updates-3174352?ico=in-line_link) is to push ahead with an election campaign pledge to give staff the “right to switch off” and decline WhatsApp messages, emails and phone calls from their bosses or take on extra work in evenings and at weekends.
It is also expected to cover workers’ annual leave, meaning that bosses would be unable to contact their staff while on holiday.
The measure would not be mandatory for firms and not contained as part of the new Employment Rights Bill which will be introduced to parliament within the first 100 days, but is expected to be recommended in codes of practice for workplaces.
It is part of a wider package of new rights, overseen by Deputy Prime Minister [Angela Rayner](https://inews.co.uk/topic/angela-rayner?ico=in-line_link), that the government wants to implement to change the culture of the workplace and help boost economic growth, the Starmer government’s key priority.
Alongside a new automatic right for flexible working, unveiled in the [King’s Speech](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/kings-speech-2024-all-announcements-3174826?ico=in-line_link) on Wednesday, the right to switch off is seen as crucial to improve workers’ productivity.
As with flexible working, there would be exemptions in certain sectors or posts for the right to switch off.
Union bosses have welcomed the measure, with TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak saying: “No one should be pushed to the brink because of their job.
“Ever increasing hours, pace and expectations at work are causing problems up and down the country. This is a recipe for burnt out Britain.
“So we welcome these measures to tackle work intensity. Introducing a right to switch off will let workers properly disconnect outside of working hours.”
The government’s blueprint for the reforms is Labour’s Plan To Make Work Pay, published at the start of the election campaign in May.
That document acknowledged that increased working from home since the pandemic had blurred the lines between work and home life and had risked households “turning into 24/7 offices”.
Good. The employers self-imposed right to direct your entire life needs to end.
“The measure would not be mandatory for firms and not contained as part of the new Employment Rights Bill which will be introduced to parliament within the first 100 days, but is expected to be recommended in codes of practice for workplaces.”
A good idea, not sure a recommended code counts as a right though.
Such a relief to know “dmg media’s brands deliver highly engaging, trusted content to millions of loyal customers around the globe, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
That’s OP’s owner, for those not in the know. Can only imagine that’s why they’re granted front-page free roam on this sub.
My daughter in school has teachers sending work out at 6pm on Sundays for the next day, this should also be covered
Do I not have the right to ignore work emails out of hours anyway?
When I worked in France and Germany this was the same there.
I have a right to not be able to hear my work phone as it rings after I’ve left it in my car.
People already have that right based on work time regulations. I have no idea what this voluntary nonsense is even for?
Since when do people respond to emails after hours? You have the right to do it, if you want, but no obligation.
Wait, this wasn’t already a thing?😳 I’ll be damned if I ever get in trouble for not responding to an email after 7pm.
Good idea, never personally felt pressured to respond to work emails outside of work hours, but I’m sure it will help those who have been/are.
I don’t see the need for this? It’s also not mandatory? Anybody that isn’t either a jobsworth or a doormat picks and chooses which emails to reply to out of hours
So its optional and not a specifically worded law.
like the “dont shit in an amazon-brand plastic bag, don’t piss in an amazon-supplied bottle” guidance is followed…
“get the right”
What idiot is doing paid work for free outside of paid work time?
I never did. Never will. As far as I am concerned, work does not exist unless I’m on the clock.
A sleight of hand … meaningless for the poor sods in work.
“Oh, it’s handy when you get dismissed” … a bit too late then, isn’t it.
Cool, but can we get it into law that Statutory sick pay is at your actual wage?
No sick pay no sick day is my motto, and I’ve had Pneumonia and still gone to work because SSP is £440 less than my weekly take home.
Damn, I didnt need the government to legislate what is very obvious. I tell all my staff, as soon as work is over, close your laptops and never check emails on annual leave.
It might just be that I’m a stronger character than most I know but I would love to be called up for NOT answering my emails outside office hours. The fun I would have tearing a new hole in my manager.
Work phone and laptop stays at work no access from personal devices at home
People didn’t already do this? If your email wasn’t urgent enough to reach me during the work day then it can wait until office hours the next work day. I’m frankly not paid enough to give a shit to sacrifice my free time.
My pal told me – I can’t be arsed to look it up to confirm – that in France employers have to pay up if they contact you out of hours.
I ignore emails after work anyway. It’s an easy solution. You want me to work, pay me!
I’ve never heard of anybody being expected to answer emails outside of work hours. That’s ridiculous that it’s even a thing that’s been happening to people.
Bigger fool the people replying in the first place