Imagine that you’ve just wrapped up a tough workday, and are sitting on that cozy couch – watching your favourite show. Then, the phone buzzes and your boss pings with a “quick question” at 9 PM.Isn’t that sinking feeling too common in our non-stop digital age. Work creeping into personal time ramps up burnout, steals sleep, and chips away at joy.But there are some forward-thinking spots worldwide having laws to ignore after-hours demands.Here are a few countries where employees can rightfully ignore work after office hours
Burnout buster:5 countries where ignoring boss after office hours is legal
Australia
Australia launched its “right to disconnect” in August 2024, barring bosses from punishing staff for skipping calls or emails outside work hours unless “unreasonable”. Australia’s Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Murray Watt said, “The new laws will enhance protections for workers regarding workplace conditions, job stability, and their capacity to maintain a healthy work-life balance” as quoted in CNBC report
France
France led the way in 2017 by requiring companies with 50 or more employees to agree on contact rules with their workers; failure to comply can result in fines of up to 1% of payroll, according to CNBC.
Belgium
Belgium introduced this in 2022, first for public servants and later for private companies with 20 or more staff, allowing employees to ignore work messages after hours.
Portugal
In Portugal, the “right to rest” prevents employers from reaching out for non-emergencies outside work hours and ensures at least 11 uninterrupted hours of rest each night. Spain requires workers to disconnect from job-related digital tools beyond their scheduled shifts, supported by awareness efforts from a national health and safety institute.
Ireland
Ireland’s Code of Practice supports employees in switching off from work matters outside regular hours, applying to both office and remote setups. Italy focuses this right on remote work, where contracts must clearly define rest periods and steps for fully stepping away from work devices.
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India’s take on Work after office hours
India took an important step in 2025 towards better work-life balance with the Right to Disconnect Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 5 by NCP MP Supriya Shrink Sule.This private member’s bill lets employees ignore work calls, emails, or messages outside office hours and on holidays, without fear of punishment.It proposes an Employees’ Welfare Authority to enforce rules, mandate “disconnect hours” in company policies, and tackle unpaid overtime.Drawing inspiration from laws in France and Australia, the bill promotes mental well-being amid India’s always-on work culture. If enacted, firms violating boundaries could face fines, helping curb burnout.
