In November of last year, Slovenia introduced the right to disconnect through an amendment to Employment Relationships Act (ZDR-1), specifically in Article 142a. This right is increasingly significant in the modern work environment, where digital technologies enable constant connectivity between employers and employees, potentially leading to excessive workload, stress, and consequent burnout.
The right to disconnect, sometimes referred to as the “right to switch off,” ensures that employees are not obligated to be available to their employer during periods of rest or authorized absence from work, as provided by law, collective agreements, or general acts. To facilitate this, employers are required to implement appropriate measures that enable employees to disengage from work duties after working hours, including refraining from handling emails, calls, messages, and other work-related communications.
Employers must establish these measures by 16 November 2024. Failure to do so may result in financial penalties, as highlighted by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities.
