Community news|10/12/20

MEPs call for a ‘right to disconnect’

Home > The news of EUROGIP and occupational risks in Europe > MEPs call for a ‘right to disconnect’

With the COVID-19 pandemic, over a third of EU workers now work from home. Therefore, in a resolution adopted on 1st December, MEPs call on the Commission to present a European directive on the right to disconnect, a right they consider as vital.

They believe that the culture of being “always on” and the growing expectation that workers should be reachable at any time can negatively affect work-life balance, physical and mental health, and well-being. MEPs stress that EU rules are needed to ensure that workers can refrain from performing work-related tasks and communicating electronically outside their working time without suffering negative consequences.

The non-legislative resolution is expected to be voted on in a plenary session in January 2021. Once endorsed by Parliament, it will be put forward to the Commission and EU countries for implementation as part of future regulatory decisions.

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