Portugal has introduced a new law banning employers from reaching workers after hours of work.
Companies will face face penalties if they call or email their employees during evenings and weekends in new rules approved in parliament on Friday.
In response to remote work since the Covid-19 pandemic, the ruling socialist party introduced new labor laws.
Portugal will soon introduce new legislation that prohibits employers from calling workers during non-contract hours. Stock image
Additionally, companies will need to reimburse employees for expenses related to working remotely, like electricity or internet bills. Employers can claim these costs as business expenses.
It will be possible for parents to work at home up to the age of eight without having to contact their employers.
Companies with less than ten workers will not be affected by the changes to Portugal’s Labour Laws.
Companies will face face penalties if they call or email their employees during evenings and weekends in new rules approved in the Portuguese parliament on Friday (stock image)
Portuguese MPs also rejected a ‘right to disconnect’ proposal, that would have given employees the legal right to switch off work-related messages and devices outside office hours.
Similar laws exist in several European countries, with workers in France allowed the ‘right to disconnect’ with similar laws in place in Germany, Italy and Slovakia.
In the UK, however, an earlier law amendment could render it difficult for employers to require that their employees attend the workplace.