Labour’s “Right to Switch Off” Plan: How Will It Benefit UK Employees?
In a significant move towards improving work-life balance, UK employees will soon gain the “right to switch off” outside of work hours under new rules set to be introduced by the Labour government. This policy will allow workers to ignore work-related emails and calls beyond office hours, empowering them to disconnect from their jobs during their time.
The initiative fulfils Labour’s “right to switch off” campaign pledge, enabling employees to refuse extra work on weekends and outside regular hours. This week, the plan received strong backing from Labour leader Keir Starmer, with a spokesperson emphasizing the importance of rest for maintaining productivity. “Good employers understand that for workers to stay motivated and productive, they need to be able to switch off,” the spokesperson said, warning against the dangers of a “culture of presenteeism.”
Crucially, the new rules are expected to extend to workers’ annual leave, ensuring that bosses cannot require employees to perform work-related tasks on holiday. The policy is part of the broader “Plan to Make Work Pay,” spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Other measures outlined in the King’s Speech include banning exploitative zero-hours contracts, ending the practice of “fire and rehire,” and making sick pay available from day one of employment.
Unlike these other measures, however, the right to switch off will not be enshrined in law. Instead, it is likely to be recommended in business codes of practice. Similar models inspire this approach in Ireland and Belgium, where the right to disconnect is recommended or legally enforced.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has welcomed the proposal, with General Secretary Paul Nowak stating, “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.”
The policy has also gained significant public support, with a recent Savanta poll revealing that 69% of voters favour the right to switch off outside of working hours. There is no official right to disconnect in the UK, although employers can choose to implement their policies. Presently, the law mandates a maximum average working week of 48 hours over 17 weeks, but there are no restrictions on employers contacting employees outside these hours.
Labour’s plan aims to prevent “working from home” from turning into “homes turning into 24/7 offices.” It draws inspiration from Ireland, where workers are not regularly required to perform duties outside regular hours, and Belgium, where the right to disconnect is legally enforced for public sector workers and employees of larger companies.
Will Stronge, director of The Autonomy Institute think tank and author of *Overtime,* praised the plan as a vital step in setting boundaries for the working day. He noted the blurred lines between work and personal life in today’s remote work environment. However, Stronge emphasized that the policy’s effectiveness would depend on the specifics, expressing a desire for a stricter version akin to French laws, prohibiting employers from penalizing workers for not responding to out-of-hours calls.
The right to disconnect is legally protected in France, and violations carry potential fines. For example, in 2021, a French court fined British firm Rentokil € 60,000 for failing to respect an employee’s right to disconnect, marking the first fine under a law enacted in 2016.
The statutory workers’ rights announced in the King’s Speech are expected to be implemented by spring, with the right to switch off likely to come into effect around the same time. This policy could mark a significant shift in the UK’s approach to work-life balance, offering employees much-needed respite in an increasingly demanding work environment.
Recent proposals may result in substantial compensation for employees frequently contacted by their employers outside regular working hours.
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