Employers in Portugal banned from contacting workers outside of office hours

Remote workers in Portugal could see a healthier work-life balance under new labor laws approved by the country’s parliament, Report informs referring to Euronews.

The new rules are a response to the explosion of home working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Portugal's ruling Socialist Party said.

Under the new rules, employers could face penalties for contacting workers outside of office hours. Companies will also have to help pay for expenses incurred by remote working, such as higher electricity and internet bills.

But the amendments to Portugal's labor laws have limits: they will not apply to companies with fewer than ten employees.

Companies can now face fines for contacting workers outside of their normal working hours, the new rules state.

However, a proposal to include the so-called "right to disconnect" - the legal right to switch off work-related messages and devices outside office hours - was rejected by Portuguese MPs.

Companies must also now contribute to expenses that workers have incurred as a result of switching to remote working. This can include bills for electricity or internet, but not water. Employers can write off these costs as a business expense.

The new rules are also good news for parents of young children. They now have the right to work from home without having to arrange it in advance with their employers, up until their child turns eight years old.

Measures to tackle loneliness are also included in the remote working rules, with companies expected to organize face-to-face meetings at least every two months.