Workers are one step closer to having their right to disconnect enforced after the European Commission today took another step towards legislation on the issue.
The Commission announced it is beginning the second stage of talks with trade unions and employers on a “potential EU-level initiative to reduce the risks of the ‘always-on' work culture and to ensure fair and quality telework.”
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) says this process must quickly lead to a directive that ensures new working practices are not detrimental to workers.
People regularly working from home are six times more likely to work in their free time, and employers are increasingly using intrusive AI tools to monitor workers which are likely illegal.
ETUC Deputy General Secretary Claes-Mikael Stahl said:
“New working practices should give people more flexibility and autonomy, as well as opening up job opportunities to people with disabilities, caring responsibilities or those in rural areas.
“However, many workers experience that telework has also created an ‘always-on-call’ culture that rides roughshod over existing workers’ rights and an increasing number of workers have every click tracked by bosses using Orwellian surveillance software. This is also confirmed by EU’s research and analysis.
“It is only right then that the Commission ensures that protections for workers keep pace with the changes taking place in the world of work. That includes protections for workers who might be forced to telework against their will.
“Workers already have the right to disconnect and we urgently need a directive to ensure it is enforced in practice, along with common sense rules to maximise the benefits of telework for all."
