The Australian Services Union has launched a campaign to secure a legislative "Right to Disconnect" in the Fair Work Act. 

A recent survey found that seven out of ten clerical and administrative workers frequently engage in work outside of agreed hours. 

Supporters of the right to disconnect argue that smartphones and the pandemic-induced shift to remote work have blurred the lines between work and personal life, leading to excessive unpaid work and impacting employees' physical and mental well-being. 

However, lawyers and employer groups contend that legislating time away could undermine workplace flexibility and harm the country's competitiveness on the global stage.

“Most employees don't feel they can say no to taking work home, causing a significant negative impact on their health and relationships,” says Emeline Gaske, assistant national secretary of the Australian Services Union.

But legal experts and employer groups maintain that a one-size-fits-all approach would not work, as every workplace has unique demands. 

They suggest that individual firms and their employees should negotiate their own policies for disconnecting from work. 

Critics argue that implementing a universal right to disconnect at the federal level could hinder the ongoing push towards flexible working arrangements. 

Jessica Tinsley, director of workplace relations at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has warned that forcing businesses to operate solely within traditional working hours might hamper their ability to compete in the global marketplace, affecting the economy.

Nonetheless, some progress has been made in negotiations. ANZ recently struck a deal with the Finance Sector Union to grant workers the “right to switch off from work” and refuse unreasonable work requests, as well as to enhance pay and parental leave. 

This move is expected to boost work-life balance while preserving industry competitiveness.