Rules have been in force for six years in Spain. A new bill warns that the right to disconnect is irrevocable and that companies must guarantee this moment.
Os spanish workers have the right to digital disconnection six years ago. The Organic Law, on data protection and guaranteeing digital rights, was approved in 2018.
Workers and public servants have the right to leave work outside of their working hours. It’s a question of respect for rest time and personal and family life.
There are studies – as if it were necessary – that show that always be connectedor available for work, increases the stress, a anxiety.
Six years later, the issue is being debated again because of a new bill on reducing working hours to 37.5 hours per week.
The document, which was under public consultation until this Saturday, also intends to change the digital disconnection law.
There are two priorities. The first is bind in one document the Spanish rules that are dispersed about this “unrenounceable right” to leave work when you stop working. If the worker does not answer calls, or if he does not respond to messages from the employer, he cannot be subject to “negative consequences, reprisals or less favorable treatment”.
The second is to reinforce the importance of the employer: “The aim is to define (…) the corporate duty to guarantee this right“, quote or .
But How can companies contribute for digital disconnection?
In an internal policy that must be “clear and understandable”, there are four pillars: control schedules (do not allow long working hours or send messages after hours), do not require physical presence (effectiveness and competence must be the priority criteria), flexible schedules (and work towards objectives), give formations on the use of technological devices (to increase workers’ knowledge).
And advises companies to to value o performance of the worker depending on the results, and not depending on the time spent working.
All of this should serve to reduce absenteeism and work stress, while improving worker motivation and talent retention.
Everything to try to improve the work environment in general.
