Workers can now ignore after-hours work-related contact “within reason.”
Lawmakerspassedthe new rule in February, but it only kicked in on Monday for employees of large enterprises.
Small businesses have until August 2025 before it affects them.
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) says the rule does not ban employers from contacting workers.
However, the Commission said that employees are not entirely off the hook.
Contact refusals cannot be “unreasonable.”
While what is within reason can be subjective, the FWC pointed out examples of reasonable contact.
First and foremost, employees cannot reasonably refuse messages the employer is legally required to make.
However, calling a low-level employee requesting they email an updated report before returning to work is not.
Currently, enforcementworkslike arbitration, with the FWC as the judge.
Therefore, most, if not all, cases will be employee-initiated.
The line between work and home life is particularly blurred in the post-pandemic landscape.
Australia’s Centre for Future Workfoundthat 70 percent of employees operated outside their scheduled hours without compensation.
Unsurprisingly, the labor unions have called the legislation a win, but it’s not unopposed.
Likewise, the Business Council of Australia said the lawcomeswhen Australia’s economy is reeling.
