Employers back worker ‘choice’ in right to disconnect battle

Employers have cautioned the workplace tribunal against disrupting staff communications when it introduces industry-specific rights to disconnect, flagging that miners, energy workers, plumbers, mechanics and other workers need to be contacted outside normal work hours.

The Australia Chamber of Commerce and Industry has told the Fair Work Commission it must not introduce more prescriptive rules than already exist in Labor’s legislation when it tailors the right to disconnect for awards ahead of an August 26 start.