The “right to disconnect” becomes a reality for Belgian officials

Mentioned for many years, the right to disconnect is on the way to becoming a reality in Belgium, but not for all workers.

From February 2022, Belgian federal officials will no longer be able to be disturbed outside of their working hours.

The right to disconnect, but not for everyone

The right to disconnect arrives in Belgium. From 1^er February 2022, 65,000 federal civil servants will no longer be able to be contacted by their hierarchical superiors outside working hours, with the exception of emergencies. A circular from the Minister of the Civil Service Petra De Sutter (Groen) was indeed drafted to regulate the right to disconnect and to fight “ against excessive professional stress and burn-out “. Public servants will not be at any disadvantage if they do not answer calls or messages outside of office hours.

An important step on the territory, since Belgium does not have any specific law on the subject. This initiative, inspired by the right to disconnect introduced in the Labor Law since 2018 in France, will not extend to the private sector for the moment. In spite of everything, the question is currently being debated within the National Labor Council, one of the bodies bringing together trade unions and employers’ organizations.

During the last negotiations, the federal government declared itself in favor of a general disconnection law, while employers’ organizations argue that its feasibility varies greatly from one sector to another. They did not, however, oppose a general framework at the national level defining the cases where a “right to be quiet” could be established.

Source: RTBF