Right to Disconnect for Federal Employees: Employment Lawyer on CityNews

Interview Summary

The federal government recently announced the new budget and it contained legislation about the rights of federally regulated employees.

While some provincial governments have already implemented right-to-disconnect legislation, the Government of Canada is the latest to address the issue as more employees work remotely.

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joined CityNews Edmonton to discuss the new legislation and its impact on employees.

Interview Notes

• Employers acknowledging employee needs: “Things like require employees to take their vacation time as opposed to taking vacation pay, so that indicates that employers are aware that employees do need a break, they do need vacation time,” the firm explained.
• Impact on employment law and the workplace: The firm does not believe the legislation will change much: “Not everybody is going to follow the policy. I would hope that employers don’t treat this as merely a box to checkmark, that they’re taking the steps to enforce it to create internal equity.”

Related Resources

• Right to Disconnect in Ontario