Australian law will let workers ignore bosses’ messages after work
Listen to the story (Singaporean accent)
Australia will have a new law. The law says workers don’t have to answer their phone or emails after work.
The rule is called “right to disconnect”. It will help workers have a good work-life balance. France and Spain have this rule, too.
If a company doesn’t follow this rule, the company has to pay a fine.
Some workers work extra hours but do not get paid. This rule will stop that. The prime minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, supports the new rule.
Some people do not like the new rule. They think it will be bad for businesses. They also think it will be bad for people who like flexible working time.
Every year, Australians work about six extra weeks without pay. Companies save about A$92 billion ($60.13 billion) every year because of the extra work.
Vocabulary12 words
- Law
- a rule, regulation, or guideline set by the government
- Answer
- to response or react to a phone call, email, letter or question; to reply; to pick up a phone that is ringing
- Rule
- A guideline or regulation; sometimes a law; A guide that tells us what we should or shouldn’t do
- Right
- the fact that a person or animal can expect to be treated in a fair, morally acceptable, or legal way, or to have the things that are necessary for life;
- Disconnect
- To stop being in contact or communication; To stop being connected or reachable; to “unplug” your electrical devices
- Work-life balance
- Having a good amount of time for work and for other parts of your life; Making sure work and personal life are both good
- Follow a rule
- Do what the rule says; To do what the guideline or instruction says
- Fine
- a penalty or punishment you have to pay with money
- Prime Minister
- the head or leader of an elected government of a country; similar to a “president”
- Support
- to agree with a person or idea; to approve of an idea; promote; to help
- Flexible
- able to bend or change shape easily without breaking; adapt easily; change easily; not restricted by time
- Billion
- 1,000,000,000 = one-billion
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Australia will have a _____ law. The law says workers don’t have to answer their _____ or emails after work.
The rule is _____ “right to disconnect”. It will help workers have a good work-life balance. _____ and Spain have this rule, too.
If a _____ doesn’t follow this rule, the company has to pay a _____.
Some workers work _____ hours but do not get paid. This rule will stop that. The _____ minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, supports the _____ rule.
Some people do not _____ the new rule. They think it will be bad for _____. They also think it will be bad for people who like _____ working time.
Every year, Australians work about _____ extra weeks without pay. Companies save about A$_____ billion ($60.13 billion) every year because of the extra _____.
Discussion questions
- Do you think the "right to disconnect" law is a good idea? Why or why not?
- Do you have similar laws in your country? If not, would this law work well in your country?
- How do you think this law will affect workers’ lives?
- What are some other ways the government can help workers' rights and make work-life balance better?
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