Why Labor’s ban on contacting workers after hours is a total farce

Labor’s new laws blocking bosses from ringing staff outside work hours will be a disaster argues James Willis | Do you agree? VOTE in our poll

Let me introduce you to one of the most bat sh** pieces of legislation in recent memory.

Labor has just created a kingsize headache for every boss and Human Resources department in Australia.

“The Right to Disconnect” — which has the numbers to pass the Senate — actually bans employers from contacting their staff outside of work hours.

The only exceptions are in “emergencies” … or if the worker is paid an “overtime allowance”.

Any boss who ignores these new laws could be hauled before the Fair Work Commission and face a financial penalty.

Tony Burke is talking up the changes. Pictures: iStock/NewsCorp

Even worse- the employee is basically immune from punishment- and there can be no consequences for them if they ignore phone calls outside their shift.

When trying to sell his nutty idea this week- Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke told the ABC: “If you’re in a job that you’re only paid the exact hours you’re working- some people are now constantly getting in trouble for not checking their emails … and working for time that they aren’t being paid. That’s just unreasonable.”

Labor has just handed the employees of Australia the right to go MIA from the moment their shift comes to an end.

Clock off at 5pm- and screen your boss’ calls until you sit back down at your desk 16 hours later at 9am.

Get ready for phrases like: “If you need to get in touch out of hours, send an email, but I’m not legally obliged to reply to you”. And: “Call me again after I leave work — even if I forgot to do something, or I’ve stuffed up, and I’ll take you to Fair Work”.

Greens leader Adam Bandt celebrates the Right to Disconnect legislation. Photo: Supplied

Or maybe: “Unless you pay me an allowance, I won’t answer the phone at 8am during pilates.”

This loopy idea, championed by the unions and the Greens, should give business owners night terrors.

No surprise- Adam Bandt is crowing about another victory.

The Greens leader posted on X: “You now have the right to ignore your boss when you clock off.”

I’m sorry, but this is totally bonkers. And it shows a complete lack of understanding about how most workplaces operate.

The pandemic has resulted in a dramatic change to workplace practices.

Most businesses — albeit through gritted teeth — have been forced to offer their staff permanent flexible working arrangements.

The ability to work from home (WFH) is now the main bargaining chip in job interviews.

It has provided white collar employees with a cushy condition that never even existed before COVID-19, and is physically impossible for frontline workers.

Already, the Fair Work Commission is dealing with endless disputes from people who have filed claims against their boss, arguing they were unfairly treated or dismissed.

Fair Work should get ready for a truckload of claims if “Right to Disconnect” laws work the way they were intended.

This is totally unnecessary, will create ridiculous workplace disputes and overall make it harder for workplaces to operate.

What’s more, Mr Burke’s law will do the exact opposite of what Labor is trying to achieve, which is increase wages and boost productivity.

By the way, for those wondering where Tony Burke came up with the idea, he recalled this: “And I remember years ago you’d go to someone’s barbecue, and they’d be carrying a buzzer,” he said.

“They were the person on call … so they wouldn’t drink anything.

“If the buzzer went off, they’d have to turn up. Or at least use your home phone to call into work.”

A memory from a backyard barbecue the Minister attended in the early 90s. Now Australian law.

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