In 2017, France implemented the world’s first “right to disconnect” law, making it illegal for bosses to contact their workers after hours. Americans admired this concept, recognizing the unhealthy work culture in the US where work is seen as an integral part of identity. However, there are recent signs of progress towards improving work-life balance in the US. A California state lawmaker introduced a “right to disconnect” bill, similar to laws in other countries. At the federal level, conversations about shorter workweeks are being taken seriously, and the shift to remote work during the pandemic has highlighted the toll of commuting on employees.
The California legislation aims to prevent employees from being contacted outside of their established work hours, with exceptions for emergencies. The bill would require a written agreement between employees and employers to define work hours. If the employer violates this agreement multiple times, fines could be imposed. While some Silicon Valley figures criticize the bill as government interference, the reality is that smartphones have made every work matter seem urgent, blurring the lines between work and personal time. A survey showed that over half of workers respond to work-related messages outside of their normal hours, leading to negative impacts on health and productivity.
Being constantly connected to work has detrimental effects on employees’ well-being and business outcomes, according to experts. It is important for people to have time to recharge in order to perform better at work. Changing a work culture that values constant busyness is challenging, which is why the proposed legislation is significant, regardless of its eventual outcome. Historically, labor efforts and legal challenges have been necessary to establish worker rights, such as the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act that introduced overtime pay for working more than 40 hours a week.
There are positive factors working in favor of workers today, including a tight labor market that gives employees more leverage to negotiate their working conditions. Additionally, social media has the potential to hold employers accountable for inappropriate work practices, as seen in the recent TikTok trend exposing bosses’ behavior. Experts suggest that the pressures of social media and viral posts may influence employers to reconsider contacting employees outside of work hours. Overall, the discussion around the right to disconnect is gaining traction in the US, showing signs of progress towards a healthier work-life balance for employees.
