Right to Disconnect Policy Writers

What are Right to Disconnect Policies?

Right to disconnect policies outline how organisations protect employees from being expected to engage in work-related communications outside of agreed working hours.

As technology enables constant connectivity, blurred boundaries between work and personal time can increase stress and reduce wellbeing. A clear policy ensures employees have the right to rest and recover, while managers set realistic expectations about availability.

What Do Right to Disconnect Policies Cover?

A right to disconnect policy typically includes:

• A statement of commitment to respecting employee downtime and work-life balance

• Clear guidance on working hours, breaks and expectations for availability

• Restrictions on out-of-hours emails, calls or messaging except in genuine emergencies

• Responsibilities of managers to plan workloads realistically and avoid unnecessary out-of-hours demands

• Guidance for staff on managing notifications and communication tools

• Flexibility for agreed exceptions, such as international time zones or urgent business needs

• Support for employees who feel pressured to remain “always on”

• Links to remote working, flexible working, wellbeing and mental health policies

A clear policy reassures employees that they will not be penalised for switching off outside of working hours and sets consistent expectations across the organisation.

It also supports compliance with the Working Time Regulations 1998 and demonstrates commitment to employee wellbeing, which can improve retention and productivity.

By embedding a right to disconnect into workplace culture, organisations can reduce stress, support healthier work-life balance and foster a more sustainable way of working.