“Accumulates stress” / New law in Portugal: It becomes illegal for owners to contact employees after hours – Outney.net

The Portuguese government has introduced a new law, which makes it illegal for bosses to contact their subordinates after hours. This is seen by the government as a good opportunity to establish a work-life balance of the citizens, even at this time accumulated by the stress of COVID-19.

Businesses will face fines if they send emails to employees overtime and will be forced to pay for household expenses incurred while their employees work from home, including internet and electricity bills.
Staff with children will also be given the legal right to work from home until the children reach the age of eight, without having to be approved by anyone from the company. The new conditions only apply to companies with 10 or more employees.

“Distance work can be a ‘game changer’ if we take advantage and reduce the disadvantages,” said Labor Minister Ana Mendes Godinho.

(Outney)