In Canada, a new federal law is being proposed to enshrine the “right to disconnect” in the budget for 2024. This will allow employees to avoid work-related tasks outside of office hours and will only apply to about 500,000 Canadian workers in public sectors like banking and transportation. However, most workers in Canada are employed by provincially regulated industries and will not be affected by this legislation.
This move is part of a global trend to regulate labor laws in the era of remote work. Countries like the European Union have already signed treaties to protect the rights of home workers, with laws in place in several countries on the continent. Similar legislation is also being considered in the US, Germany, and Portugal.
In Ontario, a similar provincial law already requires employers to create policies for working outside of regular hours. This legislation is part of a broader effort in Canada to support millennial and Generation Z workers, with measures aimed at improving work-life balance and reducing burnout.
Unlike Canada, Israel has not yet taken a proactive approach to address the changing nature of work. Labor laws have not yet addressed the issue of the right to disconnect, with many employers expecting full availability from employees beyond official working hours. While there have been some discussions about updating labor laws to reflect the digital age, no concrete steps have been taken by the legislator.
The lack of legislative action in Israel means that workers are still facing challenges related to work-life balance and burnout. In contrast, efforts are being made globally to adapt labor laws for younger workers as they struggle with balancing their personal lives while working remotely or on flexible schedules. The concept of the right to disconnect is gaining attention worldwide as countries work towards finding a balance between work and personal time for employees while adapting labor laws for modern times.
Overall, it’s clear that labor laws need to adapt as technology advances and work patterns change. As such, it’s essential for governments around the world to consider new legislation that prioritizes employee well-being while respecting business needs.