The 'right to disconnect' - it's not conscious uncoupling

Professor Andre Spicer, Dean of Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) and Professor of Organisational Behaviour, responded to media reports that the new government plans to legislate for ‘the right to disconnect’.

Professor Spicer said: “So-called right to disconnect laws are a response to the increasingly blurred boundaries between work and home in the digital age, a problem exacerbated by the rise of home working and hybrid working since covid. They have been popular in many countries, including Ireland, France, Australia and Portugal.

“As with working from home and hybrid working, the right to disconnect doesn’t have to stifle productivity or efficiency. Workers abroad report they still deal with as many work-related messages – but they gain a sense of control over their working lives. The limited research abroad that has been undertaken suggests that most workers respond well to the additional flexibility. If anything, the measure may actually marginally boost productivity.

“Employers should be thinking about how to work smarter, not longer. We know that the countries in Europe with the longest working hours – such as Greece – are near the bottom of the productivity league tables. As a country, the UK needs a creative approach to productivity, which has been stagnant for the best part of two decades.

“The Labour government’s plans, as reported in the media, suggest employers will still have some flexibility: there’s no ban but instead they will be expected to develop a policy giving clarity around people can be contacted out of hours.”