The European Parliament voted on Thursday to call for new laws to be considered to punish employees who quit and do not respond to their work after working hours.
European workers have been working for many hours since the switch to remote work took place due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bloomberg reported. The vote on Thursday indicated that European lawmakers want a rule to protect workers that will allow them to report work-related activities after working hours without penalty.
Do you have trouble switching off in your spare time? Do you feel constant pressure to check and answer job calls, emails, messages? ” Alex Agius Saliba, a center-left member of the European Parliament, said in a tweet on Thursday. ‘# Right on # disconnect must be a fundamental right. ”
Having trouble switching off in your spare time? Do you feel constant pressure to check and answer job calls, emails, messages? # Right on # disconnect must be a fundamental Right. @NicolasSchmitEU EU workers need a directive on the # R2D as soon as possible @TheProgressives https://t.co/ziZeRZYkRE
– Alex Agius Saliba (@alexagiussaliba) 21 January 2021
The vote was approved by a majority of parliament with 472 representatives supporting the proposal. The vote brings the European Commission to a non-binding call to place new rules for employees in European Union law.
However, it may take years to strengthen this call for new rules. The commission must accept the call, draft legislation and be approved by the legislative institutions of the bloc.
Many around the world have struggled to balance homework with family. Mental health has flooded countries since millions of people have been in a certain version of the closure since March.