The Right to Disconnect - Is It Time to Switch Off?

Over the past few years, the way we work has changed dramatically. Homeworking, flexible hours and hybrid roles are now firmly part of employment life and while there are many positives, one issue keeps cropping up in conversations with both employers and employees… switching off. 

I came across an article from the CIPD discussing the right to disconnect, and it really struck a chord. 

With laptops, work mobiles and instant messaging apps now sitting on kitchen tables and sofas, the line between “work time” and “home time” has become increasingly blurred. For many employees, logging off at the end of the day is no longer as straightforward as it once was. 

What is the right to disconnect? 

In simple terms, the right to disconnect allows employees to switch off from work outside of their normal working hours, without feeling pressure or fear of repercussions. 

This doesn’t mean that no one can ever be contacted again after 5pm, but it does mean that there is a clear expectation that employees are not required to routinely work or respond outside of their agreed hours, unless there is an emergency or prior agreement, for example, when someone is on call. 

Who is doing it? 

Ireland has already introduced a Code of Practice on the right to disconnect, which sets out three key principles: 

• the right not to routinely perform work outside normal working hours 

• the right not to be penalised for refusing to deal with work matters out of hours 

• the duty to respect other people’s right to disconnect 

In practice, this means employees can ignore emails, calls and messages outside working hours, use out-of-office replies, and are actively encouraged to respond only when they are back at work. 

Several other countries across Europe have also taken steps in this direction, and Kenya has reportedly been exploring similar legislation. 

Belgium, for example, passed a law in 2022 allowing civil servants to switch off work emails, texts and phone calls received out of hours without fear of reprisal. While out-of-hours contact is still permitted in exceptional circumstances, the intention is clear: employees should not be permanently “on call”. There are also discussions underway about extending this protection into the private sector. 

Why should employers care? 

At first glance, it can seem beneficial when employees are responsive out of hours. Emails get answered quickly, issues are dealt with promptly, and things keep moving. 

But the reality is that consistently working outside normal hours, without proper rest, takes its toll. Over time, this can lead to burnout, reduced productivity, disengagement and ultimately retention issues, none of which benefit the business. 

Employees who never fully switch off are often the ones who struggle the most in the long term. 

Introducing clear boundaries around working time can help protect wellbeing, improve morale and create a healthier, more sustainable way of working. It also sends a strong message that the organisation genuinely cares about its people, something that is increasingly important in today’s recruitment market. 

Does this mean employers lose flexibility? 

Not at all. 

The right to disconnect doesn’t remove flexibility, nor does it prevent occasional out-of-hours working when genuinely needed. What it does do is set expectations. 

Clear conversations about working hours, response times and what constitutes an “urgent” issue can make a huge difference. Many organisations are already doing this informally; the right to disconnect simply formalises good practice. 

As more employers continue to embrace hybrid and homeworking models, policies like this may become an important differentiator.

A final thought 

While the right to disconnect isn’t a legal requirement, surely it is something that should be on every employer’s radar, right? 

Now may be the perfect time for organisations to pause, reflect on their working culture, and ask an important question: 

Are we really allowing our people to switch off? 

Sometimes, a little disconnection is exactly what’s needed to stay connected in the long run.