Teleworking, accelerated by the pandemic, has profoundly changed the way we work. However, it is often associated with hyperconnection , creating an imbalance between professional and private life.
Faced with these challenges, the right to disconnect , enshrined in the Labor Code, is essential to protect the health of workers and promote their well-being. But where are companies at? And what concrete solutions can guarantee this right, particularly when working remotely?
What is the right to disconnect according to the Labor Code?
Legal protection for employees
Since 2017, the right to disconnect has been enshrined in the French Labor Code (article L.2242-17). This right aims to guarantee employees rest periods and a healthy work-life balance.
An obligation for companies
In France, companies with more than 50 employees must:
- Negotiate agreements with staff representatives on the implementation of this right.
- Failing that, establish an internal charter , after consulting the CSE, to specify the disconnection procedures.
💡 Please note: According to a survey conducted by Eurofound (2022), 44% of companies in France, Belgium, Italy and Spain have a policy on the right to disconnect
Teleworking and the right to disconnect: a fragile balance
The specific challenges of teleworking
Teleworking amplifies the risks linked to hyperconnection:
- Out-of-hours communications : More than 80% of European employees report receiving professional emails outside of their contractual working hours each week (source: Eurofound).
- Psychological impact : Nearly 45% of workers believe that these demands harm their work-life balance and their mental health.
Health consequences
Reported issues include:
- Headaches (41%),
- Stress and anxiety (33%),
- General fatigue (34%).
👉 Note: These figures are significantly reduced in companies with a clear policy on the right to disconnect. For example, only 28% of employees in these companies report stress problems, compared to 38% in companies without a disconnection policy (source: Previsoft).
Is it illegal to send work emails on weekends in France?
A supervised but not prohibited practice
In France, the Labor Code requires respect for rest and vacation times. Although it is not illegal to send emails on weekends, companies must ensure that these practices do not interfere with the right to disconnect.
Concrete examples of measures
According to Eurofound, companies that implement a disconnection policy implement:
- Deleting emails received during vacation,
- Limiting the sending of emails outside office hours
How to reconcile teleworking and the right to disconnect ?
1. Set clear working hours
- Set specific time slots and stick to them.
- Inform colleagues and managers of your unavailability.
2. Set up a dedicated workspace
- Having a dedicated space for work helps to separate work from personal life.
👉 Tip: Using teleworking equipment , such as that offered by Zenho , allows you to easily separate your professional and private lives .
3. Limit digital interruptions
- Turn off notifications outside of working hours.
- Raise awareness among teams about good disconnection practices.
4. Raise awareness and train teams
- Regular awareness is essential to reduce hyperconnection.
According to Eurofound, only 27% of companies include training on time management and digital tools for their employees (source: Previsoft).
How to disconnect effectively while teleworking?
Adopt an end-of-day routine
- Turn off your professional devices at a set time.
- Tidy up your workspace to mark the end of the day.
- Plan relaxing activities after work.
Use suitable tools
- Enable automatic replies to indicate your availability times.
- Use time management software like Focus To-Do .
- Rely on suitable furniture
FAQ: Your questions about the right to disconnect
The right to disconnect is an essential lever to protect the health of employees and strengthen their well-being. However, a clear policy is not enough: it must be accompanied by concrete measures such as awareness, training, and appropriate tools.
Should all companies implement the right to disconnect?
Which companies must respect the right to disconnect enshrined in the Labor Code?
In France, companies with more than 50 employees are required to negotiate agreements or implement a charter on the right to disconnect , in accordance with the Labor Code . However, smaller companies can also adopt policies to protect their employees from hyperconnection.
Why is the right to disconnect crucial when teleworking?
Why is this important in teleworking?
Teleworking blurs the boundaries between work and personal life, which encourages hyperconnection . Putting in place rules to respect the right to disconnect helps to better balance work and rest times, which are essential to the well-being and mental health of teleworkers.
What are the health effects?
What are the effects of hyperconnection on the health of teleworkers?
Failure to respect the right to disconnect can lead to negative health effects: stress, anxiety, general fatigue, and even physical problems such as headaches or backaches. A well-implemented disconnection policy reduces these risks and improves work-life balance.
Is it possible to reconcile teleworking and disconnection?
How to reconcile teleworking and the right to disconnect?
To better respect the right to disconnect when teleworking , it is recommended:
- To set clear working hours,
- To set up a dedicated workspace, such as a folding desk to facilitate the transition between work and personal life,
- And use tools to turn off work notifications outside of business hours.
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