Expert: Ontario’s right to disconnect act

While Ontario’s right to disconnect law sounds like a good idea, experts say it’s important to observe the impact of the practice on the well-being of employees and its practical application in the workplace before considering a pan-Canada approach. (Global News)

Here is an expert from McGill University that can provide comment on this issue:

Jean-Nicolas Reyt, Assistant Professor, Desautels Faculty of Management

“Most employees aspire to work from home at least part of the week. Although it comes with advantages in terms of increased flexibility, it also introduces the work environment into one's home. For many remote workers, the boundary between work and home is blurred. Managers often have increased expectations in terms of responsiveness for remote employees and working ‘any time' can turn into working 'all the time’. In order to avoid increases in burnouts and turnover, employees need to have a right to disconnect from their work.”

Jean-Nicolas Reyt is an Assistant Professor at the Desautels Faculty of Management, where he teaches organizational behavior and negotiation. His research focuses on topics related to the future of work, such as the impact of remote work and technology on creativity, innovation, and interpersonal outcomes in the workplace.

jean-nicolas.reyt [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)