French workers secure 'right to disconnect' from office emails

French companies are now required to guarantee their staff a so-called "right to disconnect" from emails when not at work.

The overuse of mobile devices outside office hours has been blamed for causing a series of problems for employees, from sleeplessness and burnout through to relationship problems.

The move is aimed at protecting people's private lives from the "always-on" work culture.

Under a new employment law, which came into force on 1 January, firms with more than 50 workers will have to negotiate with employees to agree their rights to ignore their smartphones.

If a deal cannot be struck, the company must publish a charter that would make clear the demands on and rights of employees out of hours.

The measure was introduced by Labour minister Myriam El Khomri, who commissioned a report that warned about the health impact of "info-obesity".

Trade unions in France have long demanded action, but the new "right to disconnect" does not carry with it penalties for businesses that fail to comply.

However, Xavier Zunigo, a French workplace expert said: "There's a real expectation that companies will seize on the 'right to disconnect' as a protective measure.

"At the same time, workers don't want to lose the autonomy and flexibility that digital devices give them."

A number of firms in France, including the insurer Axa (Paris: FR0000120628 - news) , have already taken steps to limit out-of-hours messaging to reduce staff stress.

A recent study published by the French research group, Eleas, revealed more than a third of French workers used their devices to do work out of hours every day.

But computing and work-life balance expert Dr Anna Cox from University of College London (UCL) said firms had to take into account demands from employees for both protection and flexibility.

She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) said: "For some people, they want to work for two hours every evening, but want to be able to switch off between 3-5pm when they pick their kids up and are cooking dinner."

Others were also happy to use their commute to get ahead before arriving in the office, while some would need to speak to colleagues in different time zones, she added.

However, Dr Cox pointed out the law would encourage agreement over what expectations were placed on staff.