In a move to safeguard the rights of remote workers, the European Union has embraced the cause by garnering support from over thirty EU lawmakers. A recently launched initiative aims to secure essential provisions such as access to co-working spaces, prohibition of computer monitoring within the home, and protection against after-hours email correspondence.
The Future Workforce Alliance, a collective comprising politicians, business leaders, and academics dedicated to adapting policies in light of the digital transformation of workspaces, took the lead in formulating and introducing a non-binding document.
This document aims to establish official guidelines and recommended practices within the European Union for companies employing hybrid or remote workers.
Additionally, it seeks to establish a legal framework that defines a “healthy relationship with technology in the workplace” for employees working from home or other remote locations. By spearheading this initiative, the Future Workforce Alliance aims to address the evolving needs and challenges of modern work environments.
“The remote work, hybrid models and flexible work-life relationships are an added value for our economy, business and workers. These should not come at the cost of our people with blurred lines between personal and professional life, increasing burnout rates and loneliness.”
Dragoș Pîslaru, chair of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and a signatory of the charter.
The recently launched charter builds upon the EU’s previous proposal for the “right to disconnect,” which aims to provide legal rights for EU employees to disengage from work-related responsibilities and electronic communication outside of regular office hours.
This policy has already been implemented in various EU member states, including France, Spain, and Belgium. With the support of a majority in the European Parliament, the proposal has the potential to become law within the EU by the end of this year, as stated by Ben Marks, co-founder of the Future Workforce Alliance.
This development means a significant step towards protecting the well-being and work-life balance of employees within the European Union.