The state not too long ago introduced a law that bans companies from contacting employees outside of their regular hours by cellular phone, message or electronic mail.
“The employer will have to respect the privacy of the worker,” which includes intervals of rest and spouse and children time, the new law stipulates. Any violation, it proceeds, constitutes a “severe” offense and could outcome in a high-quality.
Portugal’s new plan is component of legislation that regulates operating from dwelling. Personnel now have the proper to choose-out of distant do the job should they so would like — but they can also ask for the arrangement if it really is suitable with their work.
The measure also stipulates that businesses are responsible for offering workers with the ideal tools to do their jobs remotely. They should reimburse staff for any additional charges, like any increase in expenditures this sort of as electrical power and fuel, they might incur when doing work from residence.
The law was passed by the Portuguese parliament last Friday and arrived into effect the pursuing day.
Portugal has been led by a socialist federal government for 6 years, although Key Minister Antonio Costa could be pushed out of electric power early next calendar year. The country’s president a short while ago referred to as a snap election for late January amid a standoff in excess of the budget.
The observe turned far more typical in the course of the pandemic. Exploration business Gartner estimates that distant employees will signify 32% of the international workforce by the end of 2021, in contrast to 17% in 2019.