Right to disconnect

The purpose of this policy is to highlight that employees have a right to disconnect from work outside of their normal working hours and to set out the rights and obligations of the Civil Service and employees in this regard. This policy has been developed in accordance with the Code.

The right to disconnect refers to an employee’s right to be able to disengage from work and refrain from engaging in work-related activities. The right to disconnect has three main elements:

• the right of an employee to not routinely be required to perform work outside normal working hours;
• the right to not be penalised for refusing to attend to work matters outside of normal working hours; and
• the duty to respect another person’s right to disconnect.

Circular 05/2025 - Right to Disconnect Policy for the Civil Service