Right to disconnect: ensuring a fair work-life balance

Technology and data are transforming work. The growing use of electronic communications, monitoring technology and data analytics is also transforming the data relationship between workers and employers.

Covid saw an acceleration of the transition to new technologies and data-driven processes. These issues intensified during lockdown. 

Technology was already blurring the line between work and our personal lives. The always-on culture of checking emails and taking calls away from work has been widespread in many companies and industries for some time.

Increased remote and home working can mean a welcome increase in flexibility for many workers, but for some it can make drawing the line between work and home even more complicated. 

The “right to disconnect” is about defining how technology affects us and ensuring a fair work-life balance. It builds on our values of ensuring that flexibility works for workers as well as employers. In some countries they have legislated to encourage this approach, in other places unions have negotiated for better working conditions. 

Prospect has launched a new guide looks at different approaches to the “right to disconnect” and how we can ensure unions are involved in safeguarding workers’ well-being and rights as new technology changes how we work.