EU pushes for ‘right to disconnect’ from work at home

The lawmakers argue that the culture of being ‘always on’ and the growing expectation that workers should be reachable at any time can hurt work-life balance, physical and mental health, and well-being. — Bloomberg

BRUSSELS: European Union lawmakers on Dec 2 voted in favour of a “right to disconnect” from the Internet and email, with around one third of people now working from home across the 27-nation bloc due in large part to coronavirus restrictions.

In a resolution, the parliamentarians argue that disconnecting from work should be a fundamental right and they want the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, to draw up rules allowing people to take time out from the pressures of working at home.