POLITICO Tech The new laws trying to kill after-work emails
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Dec 11, 2024 Emily Dickens, Head of Government Affairs for the Society of Human Resource Management, discusses the rising trend of 'right to disconnect' laws aimed at curbing after-work communications. She argues that such regulations may interfere with how businesses define work-life balance. The conversation highlights the ongoing debate over government involvement in workplace culture, advocating for better communication and support systems to enhance employee well-being. Dickens emphasizes the importance of maintaining flexibility in the tech-driven workplace.
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Reasons for Right-to-Disconnect Laws
- Right-to-disconnect laws aim to address employees' need to reclaim personal time, especially after the pandemic blurred work-life boundaries.
- These laws also indirectly address the lack of comprehensive family leave solutions.
Always-On Culture Pre-Pandemic
- Emily Dickens recalls a time before the pandemic when work-life boundaries were already blurred due to technology like Blackberries.
- She points out certain professions, like healthcare, have always required being on call, demonstrating that not all jobs fit a right-to-disconnect model.
Better Management Practices
- Improve training for managers to better understand their teams' individual needs and expectations regarding work-life balance.
- Encourage transparent communication between managers and employees about availability and response times.