Government considering ‘right to disconnect’ laws à la France
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Heather Humphreys
The Government is considering the case for a French-style “right to disconnect” law to ensure workers do not feel obliged to check work-related emails outside of office hours.
Business Minister Heather Humphreys, responding to a parliamentary question, said the Government would “examine the French approach” to the matter.
The French law, which took effect in 2018, provides that companies with more than 50 employees have to set out the hours when staff should not check or send emails.
Ms Humphreys said: “As part of their work programme, I will ask the Interdepartmental Steering Group to examine the French approach referenced by the deputy.
“Given the increasing digitalisation of the workforce, I believe it is important from a work-life balance perspective that there are clearly defined guidelines regarding workers’ rights to switch off after office hours.”
Employment lawyer Richard Grogan, partner at Richard Grogan & Associates, told RTÉ’s This Week programme that Irish workers currently have no requirement under law to check emails outside of work hours.
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