'Right to Disconnect' introduced as part of 2024 federal budget
Everyone needs some downtime; it is essential for well-being and mental health.
At least that’s what is written in the 2024 federal budget, which establishes a “Right to Disconnect.”
“One of the realities of life for all Canadians, but particularly for younger Canadians, is this experience of being always on, always available,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters Tuesday following the budget release. “It’s not healthy, it’s not a good way to live.”
Once implemented, the right would allow federally-regulated workers the right to not answer work-related calls or emails while away from work. The government says many Millennial and Gen Z workers have worked their whole careers without having a firm separation between jobs and personal time.
The 2024 budget says it will provide $4.2 million over the next five years to support the program to enable the Labour Program at Employment and Social Development Canada to implement legislative amendments to the Canada Labour Code.
The policy is expected to benefit upwards of 500,000 employees nationwide working in sectors such as finances, telecommunications, and transportation.
Digital anthropologist Giles Crouch notes France was the first country to implement legislation for a “right to disconnect” in 2017. Since then, other places around the globe have followed in the country’s footsteps, including Ontario in 2023. In that province, employers with more than 25 employees are required to create a written policy on disconnecting from work.
Crouch expects provinces will create their own “right to disconnect” policy following the federal budget.
Crouch says in the early days of email, immediately responding to messages became the social norm, which has only carried over with the introductions of smartphones and social media.
But regulating anything that relates to technology can be a challenge.
“You need to find that balance where an organization can still get done what it needs to get done and innovate and not have too many regulations, but at the same time we need to protect employees,” says Crouch. “If a culture says you’re going to always be available, it’s hard to say no to that.
“But if regulations are put in place, an employee can push back and say, ‘No, you know what, after 5 p.m. that’s it, I want family time, I want friends’ time.’”
“It is well intentioned,” says Gerald Walsh, a human resources consultant and expert on the “right to disconnect.” “If you’re a newer employee in an organization and trying to make a name for yourself, you might feel an obligation to be on call all the time so this would be some welcomed relief, particularity if you have an overpowering boss.”
He admits the idea could have some challenges, especially with so many people working from home, which can make planning meetings more difficult.
Not every job is a typical nine-to-five, meaning working hours can be blurred. Walsh says even in jobs where you are “always on,” you should not be expected to answer anything work related if you are not scheduled to be working.
“A good boss actually respects the right of their workers to not have to respond,” he says. “Except in the case of emergency, you should not have to respond right away so there is no expectation.”
Nigel Bone is a psychotherapist at Port City Counselling in Saint John. He says the “right to disconnect” will reduce burnout in employees, and relieve some anxiety for those worried about missing a work call or email while off the clock.
“I think that young folks nowadays in some ways work not harder but in harder conditions,” Bone says. “They continue to push themselves harder, try and earn stripes so there phone is always going off, they are answering emails after hours and I think it’s a hard thing to shut off.”
Bone is hopeful this is only the beginning for the new right.
“As time goes on I hope it’s applicable not just from a federal perspective but across the board and into different industries,” he says. “It would have to look different but I would like to see it work in things like healthcare as well.”
There is no timeline as to when the new right will be officially implemented by the federal government.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.