UMAPELA ang mga manggagawa mula sa pribado at pampublikong sektor sa kanilang employers na irespeto ang kanilang karapatan na pag-disconnect mula sa work-related phone calls, chats, texts, at e-mails sa labas ng oras ng kanilang trabaho.

“Heightened by a rigorous flexible work arrangements in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a growing clamor among working people in government and in private enterprises urging employers to respect their right to disconnect from work-connected communications after working hours without being punished for it,” ani Gerard Seno, National Executive Vice President ng pinakamalaking group of unions sa bansa na Associated Labor Unions (ALU).

“Employees who chose to disconnect after work hours should not be treated as a misconduct or a disobedience. It should not be a basis for demotion, disciplinary action or termination,” ayon pa kay Seno.

Ayon pa sa global union federation na United Network International (UNI), isang skills at service sectors union na kumakatawan sa 20 million workers mula sa 150 bansa sa buong mundo, ito ay tumutukoy sa karapatan ng mga manggagawa sa pag-disconnect mula sa kanilang work duties at hindi pagtanggap o pagsagot ng anomang work-related electronic mails, calls, or messages sa labas ng normal working hours.

Ayon pa sa UNI, ang mga manggagawa na laging nakakonekta sa kanilang mga trabaho ay may negatibong epekto sa kanilang relasyon at mental health.

“If left unchecked, constant connection can lead to anxiety, burnout and depression”, pahayag pa ng grupo. (JOEL O. AMONGO)