Campaign for Work-Life Balance at UNI: Aiming for Employee Well-being and Productivity
In the face of the blurring line between work and personal life, a global campaign backed by UNI Global Union's Professionals & Managers aims to empower workers to reclaim their right to disconnect from their jobs.
The initiative, supported by the first-ever guide to negotiating digital disconnection, will be implemented worldwide. Titled "The Right to Disconnect," the guide is based on extensive research into national disconnection laws and collective agreements. It proposes best practices and sample language for collective bargaining to achieve a balanced work-life situation.
"Technology at work can offer flexibility or control over our lives outside of the job," commented Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union. "The right to disconnect is the modern equivalent of the eight-hour workday, and just as unions led the way then, we are striving for a fair equilibrium now."
The guide encourages employers to adopt policies that do not disadvantage women, who often bear more household responsibilities and may require more flexibility with work hours and remote connections.
"The right to disconnect is not about self-help or individual responsibility," said Alex Högback, Director of UNI Professionals and Managers. "It requires a collective approach, and employers must make a genuine effort to safeguard this right."
UNI Global Union has already secured the right to disconnect in global agreements with Telefonica and Orange, and French affiliates negotiated the right in a collective agreement with Orange in 2016. Additionally, Spanish unions CC.OO. and UGT have negotiated similar agreements with Telefonica and other employers in the banking sector.
"Our members consistently mention work-life balance as a top concern, and the right to disconnect allows them time to enjoy life outside the office and recharge," said Carles Catala from Servicios-CC.OO. "We have agreements with several employers guaranteeing workers' free time in Spain, and we expect this to remain a significant concern both domestically and internationally."
According to the World Health Organization, burnout has been identified as a health issue for the first time, and many national health surveys show that its occurrence is on the rise. France and Spain have already legislated a right to disconnect, and other nations are considering similar measures.
"The French law only provides a framework for negotiation about the right to disconnect, leaving it up to the unions to bargain collectively for an effective right in the workplace," added Alex Sirieys from FO-COM. "Worker's in other countries do not need to wait for legislation to negotiate for this right; they can start today with the help of the UNI P&M guide."
"The Right to Disconnect" guide, proposed by UNI Global Union's Professionals & Managers, recognizes the importance of technology in the modern workplace and advocates for a collective approach to safeguard workers' health by preventing burnout, a growing health issue according to the World Health Organization. This initiative encourages employers to adopt policies that not only promote work-life balance but also ensure fairness, especially for women who often require more flexibility due to household responsibilities.
