Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Technology

US Tech Workers Seek ‘Right to Disconnect’ Amid Growing Global Trend

The tech industry, renowned for its demanding work culture, often sees employees putting in long hours to meet project deadlines or collaborate with colleagues across different time zones. The expectation to remain available after hours for non-urgent matters has sparked a debate in the United States over the potential adoption of ‘right to disconnect’ legislation. Such a law would prohibit employers from contacting employees outside of designated working hours.

According to Tech.co’s Impact of Technology on the Workplace Report 2025, a staggering 83% of employees feel compelled to respond to work-related communications even while on vacation. The survey, which polled 1,036 US-based senior leaders at companies with at least 10 employees, found that 72% of senior leaders in the tech industry support the introduction of a ‘right to disconnect’ law, while 14% oppose it, and another 14% remain undecided.

International Approaches to the ‘Right to Disconnect’

Globally, several countries have already implemented measures to address the issue of after-hours work communication. Since 2017, French companies with more than 50 employees are required to establish a charter, in collaboration with union representatives, outlining the hours during which workers are not obliged to send or respond to emails. France is one of ten EU nations with such legislation, alongside Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovakia, and Spain.

Australia, meanwhile, adopted legislation last year allowing employees at companies with at least 15 workers to refuse to engage in work-related communications outside of working hours without fear of repercussions. This law places the responsibility on employers to negotiate what constitutes a reasonable refusal, as per the Fair Work Ombudsman, Australia’s workplace regulator.

In contrast, Ireland introduced a voluntary code of practice in 2021, encouraging employers to collaborate with employees on disconnecting strategies. However, the absence of legal requirements means there are no penalties for non-compliance.

The UK is also contemplating similar legislation. The Labour government has pledged to introduce a ‘right to switch off’ law to prevent home offices from becoming 24/7 workspaces. This initiative is supported by the Trades Union Congress, which emphasized the need for a statutory right to disconnect in its draft AI Bill published last year.

The US Landscape: Challenges and Prospects

In the US, California has been at the forefront of advocating for the ‘right to disconnect’. However, a bill proposing the establishment of boundaries for workers was shelved last May. Kelsey Szamet, a partner at Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers in California, explains that US labor laws traditionally focus on maintaining employer flexibility, unlike European laws that prioritize worker protection.

The current trend of deregulation across various industries in the US further diminishes the likelihood of federal legislation on the ‘right to disconnect’ during the current administration. Szamet notes that if the US were to adopt such legislation, it would need to establish clear boundaries and enforce penalties for non-compliance.

“There are some that will attempt to circumvent them by employing broad loopholes and ambiguous job definitions, such as labeling employees ‘exempt’ from overtime law,” Szamet warns.

Tech workers, particularly those in fast-paced startups, may be classified as ‘exempt employees’, rendering them ineligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Implications and Future Directions

For the US to embrace the ‘right to disconnect’, a significant cultural shift is necessary. Greg Davis, CEO at Oregon-based Bigleaf Networks, emphasizes that countries like France and Belgium have demonstrated that protecting personal time is essential for a healthy workforce. Implementing similar protections in the US would challenge existing norms but is not unfeasible.

“Countries like France and Belgium have made it clear that protecting personal time isn’t a luxury; it’s essential to sustaining a healthy workforce,” Davis states.

Davis suggests that companies can prepare for potential legislation by providing structured time for employees to disconnect. Szamet concurs, advocating for unionization and voluntary corporate policies that support employees in setting boundaries until formal legislation is enacted.

“This would allow workers to set reasonable boundaries without waiting for lawmakers to catch up,” Szamet concludes.

As the debate continues, the prospect of a ‘right to disconnect’ in the US remains uncertain. However, the growing global trend and increasing support among industry leaders indicate that the conversation is far from over.

You May Also Like

Top Stories

California has taken a stand against a federal directive from the Trump administration demanding the exclusion of transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports....

Entertainment

Olivia Munn, the acclaimed actress, recently shared an intimate revelation about her personal struggles with trichotillomania, a disorder that compels individuals to pull out...

Top Stories

Frontier, a coalition of technology leaders including Google and Meta, has announced a landmark investment in Arbor, a cutting-edge startup specializing in bioenergy with...

Top Stories

URGENT UPDATE: Affordable motorcycle helmets under ₹1000 are now available for safety-conscious riders across India. With road safety becoming a pressing issue, these helmets...

Entertainment

Fans of My Chemical Romance were taken aback after revelations emerged about guitarist Frank Iero‘s past encounter with the FBI. The incident traces back...

Science

New observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) are transforming our understanding of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. These findings reveal that the...

Health

Ng Kuo Pin, CEO of NCS, announced a significant investment of S$130 million in artificial intelligence (AI) over the next three years. This initiative...

Politics

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are exploring potential changes to the state’s sales tax exemptions as the General Assembly grapples with a significant budget deficit. This...

Business

Political commentator Brilyn Hollyhand has voiced strong opposition to the prospect of Elon Musk launching a third political party in 2025. In his commentary,...

Politics

President Donald Trump is closely monitoring Republican senators as they navigate a controversial rescissions package that demands significant cuts to foreign aid and public...

Top Stories

UPDATE: Meta Platforms just announced a staggering $14.8 billion investment in AI, ramping up its efforts to dominate the tech landscape. This move comes...

Top Stories

The Trump Justice Department has not released a client list related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, despite widespread speculation and anticipation. This decision...

Copyright © All rights reserved. This website provides general news and educational content for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information presented. The content should not be considered professional advice of any kind. Readers are encouraged to verify facts and consult appropriate experts when needed. We are not responsible for any loss or inconvenience resulting from the use of information on this site.