7 Countries Where It’s Illegal for Your Boss to Contact You After Work

In an age where work is always just a message away, some countries are taking a stand to protect workers’ personal time.

These nations have passed laws giving employees the “right to disconnect” — meaning bosses legally can’t disturb them after the workday ends.

Here are 5 countries leading the way:

1. France

France was the first to pass a national “right to disconnect” law. Companies with 50+ employees must create rules that allow staff to ignore emails and messages after hours — without penalty.

2. Portugal

Employers are banned from contacting workers outside work hours unless it’s an emergency. This law even applies to remote workers — making Portugal a leader in digital labor rights.

3.  Spain

Spain’s labor reforms include a clear right to disconnect. Employers must respect off-duty time and cannot require employees to be digitally available after hours.

4. Belgium

Workers in both public and private sectors now have the legal right to switch off after work. Bosses can’t expect replies to calls, emails, or messages outside official hours.

5. Ireland

Ireland introduced a code of practice giving employees the right to avoid work-related messages after hours. While not a strict law, it’s legally recognized and supports employee complaints if violated.

6. Italy

Italy’s labor law updates included a right to disconnect, especially for remote workers. Employers must outline “unavailability periods” where employees are not obligated to be online or reachable.

7. Australia

Workers now have the right to refuse calls, messages, and emails after hours — unless responding is deemed “reasonable.” Violating this can lead to major fines. The law applies now to medium and large employers, and kicks in for small businesses in August 2025.

Why It Matters

These laws aim to set boundaries between work and personal life — giving people the freedom to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside the office.