New rights will let workers ignore messages after hours

Workers will soon be able to ignore work-related emails and calls outside office hours under new rules to be introduced by the Labour government. Meeting the party's "right to switch off" campaign pledge, the plan will see workers empowered to disconnect from their jobs outside regular hours, including the right to refuse to take on extra work at the weekends.

- ALBERT TOTH

The plans are expected to cover workers' annual leave, meaning bosses would not be allowed to ask employees to carry out workrelated tasks while on holiday.

They will come as part of the government's Plan to Make Work Pay, thought to be spearheaded by new deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

Other measures in the package were outlined during the King's Speech. They include banning exploitative zero-hours contracts, ending "fire and rehire", and making sick pay available from day one of any job.

Unlike those measures, however, the right to switch off will not be enshrined in law. Instead, it will likely be recommended in the codes of practice for businesses.

The Trades Union Congress general secretary Paul Nowak said: "No one should be pushed to the brink because of their job.

"Ever-increasing hours, pace and expectations at work are causing problems up and down the country. This is a recipe for burnt-out Britain.

"So we welcome these measures to tackle work intensity. Introducing a right to switch off will let workers properly disconnect outside of working hours."