The European Parliament wants to make ‘the right to disconnect’ a legal right in the EU. MEPs say workers, when off the clock, should not feel the pressure to answer work-related communication. The need for this bill was increased by the pandemic and the rise of telework.

The right to disconnect from work

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/3191963/N01-AFPS-210119-RTDI-EN.srt

"You're enjoying your family on a weekend,

on Saturday morning and you receive an email

and even though you know that it's your private time,

that it's your family time, that it's your rest time,

Parliament wants workers' free time to be protected

from work-related calls, messages or emails.

MEPs are calling on the Commission to draw up

without facing repercussions was already present,

it has been underscored by the Covid-19 pandemic.

flexi-working is being felt more right now."

In 2020, more than one in three Europeans

professional and private life get blurry.

People working from home often work longer

Always being reachable can affect work-life-balance,

Currently, no EU legislation explicitly states

that Europeans have the right to disconnect without repercussion.

MEPs want to put an end to the "always on" culture

and have "switching off" recognised as fundamental right.