The UK Government has announced plans to introduce new codes of practice for businesses, which are aimed at tackling burnout and codifying a right to switch off. This follows on from Labour’s campaign pledge to empower workers, providing them with the freedom to disconnect from their jobs outside regular hours and refuse to take on extra work at the weekends.
The initiative mirrors developments in other jurisdictions, including Ireland, Belgium and France. French law forbids employers from reprimanding workers if they do not engage with out-of-hours contacts – the offence carries a fine. In Belgium, all public sector employees are legally entitled to switch off from work; as are those employed by organisations and businesses with at least 20 people on staff. Ireland, meanwhile, has operated a code-of-practice model in this area since 1921. Last year, the Dublin government passed the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, which permits all employees to ask if they can do their jobs from home. In addition, parents and carers were afforded the right to request flexible working arrangements.
In Northern Ireland, the Department for the Economy – currently developing its ‘good jobs’ agenda – is now consulting on updated workers’ rights legislation, something described by Economy Minister Conor Murphy this week as “the biggest piece of employment law since the Good Friday Agreement.” Key provisions of the proposals include a wide-ranging focus on work-life balance.
Since the advent of widespread remote working, the boundaries between professional and personal spaces have, perhaps understandably, become blurred. However, Inspire understands the importance of maintaining separation between these two worlds. A failure to do so risks overwork, stress and anxiety. None of these is conducive to a happy or productive workplace.
The Inspire Support Hub is a fantastic resource for anyone seeking information and guidance around the issues outlined above. It features brilliant content relating to tackling stress, establishing a healthy work-life balance and dealing with anxiety, as well as advice on how to build resilient, healthy workforces. People can also self-refer through the Hub, over the phone or by email.
If you would like to find out more about the Inspire Support Hub, as well as the other services that we offer, please feel free to contact enquiries@inspirewellbeing.org.
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