Workaholics know the constant pressure and stress that 24 hour email accountability can bring about at someone's job, and France is working to eliminate that stress with its new 'Right to Disconnect' law. The recently passed legislation makes it illegal for businesses to mandate that their employees answer or read emails that they receive during off hours.
The new law lays out a guideline for companies that have more than 50 employees. These guidelines establish times when employees are expected to perform job-related duties (such as reading and answering emails) during the day. Businesses and employees are expected to agree to these guidelines, and the business must create a charter with alternate guidelines if an agreement can't be reached.
After-Hours Email Laws
France's 'Right to Disconnect' Law Forbids Forced After Hours Work
Trend Themes
1. Remote Work Guidelines - The 'Right to Disconnect' law in France can inspire other countries to establish remote work guidelines, leading to the adoption of new software and technologies.
2. Work-life Balance Tools - The law can encourage the development of tools to improve work-life balance, such as apps that limit after-hours communication and promote healthy breaks.
3. Mental Health Benefits - Businesses can look into providing employees with mental health benefits and promoting employee well-being by adopting practices similar to the 'Right to Disconnect' law.
Industry Implications
1. Human Resources - Human resources departments can lead creating remote work protocols and implementing tools to promote work-life balance in light of this new law.
2. Technology - The technologies that remote workers use can be updated to better adhere to new remote work guidelines and improve work-life balance.
3. Legal - Legal services, such as law firms and consulting firms, can guide businesses' compliance with the 'Right to Disconnect' law and help establish similar laws in other countries.