With the re-introduction of COVID-19 safety plans at the
workplace, many organizations are continuing to implement
work-from-home arrangements. While employees may celebrate not
having to commute, employers should be aware that working from home
presents its own unique challenges.
For example, with the "office" now always within
reach, some employers' expectations about when employees are
available to work may have changed. As a result, employees may find
it more difficult than ever to regulate their working hours and
find time to recharge away from work.
In an effort to combat this reality of working from home, the
Ontario government recently passed "right to disconnect"
legislation that requires employers to have a written policy to
ensure employees can disconnect from their jobs at the end of the
workday. While the specific requirements of these policies have yet
to be determined, it is expected that limits may be set on
answering calls and responding to emails
