Reaction in Sudbury to proposed disconnect legislation
Announced earlier this week, the Ford government is pushing the first legislation in Canada that would give employees the right to disconnect outside of work hours.
The new law would require employers with 25 or more staff to develop disconnecting-from-work policies, which could include expectations about response time for e-mails outside of work hours.
Here in Sudbury, Workplace Safety North, one of four sector-based health and safety associations in Ontario, is preparing to support employers with the transition.
“We do know that 43 per cent of persons have claimed that they spent time doing emails after those work hours,” said Mike Parent, Workplace Safety North Vice President.
"One in three actually respond to emails or do work outside of those regular work hours. So I think helping employers understand that this is a problem is the first step."
Other steps include defining clear boundaries of work and non-work time and ensuring employers are following the Employment Standards Act, Parent said.
"And again, strongly encouraging them on the process to get there," he said. "If you have a unionized workplace, engaging with the union leadership to define the policy. If you don’t, then connecting with joint health and safety committees."
Parent said while the legislation is a step in the right direction toward work-life balance, he would ultimately like to see the approach changed to simply life balance.
“There's one document by the World Health Organization that suggests that people that work too many hours are at high risk of stroke or heart attack," he said.
"There are a number of studies that support that people that work too many hours suffer from anxiety and depression and I’m hoping that this policy and the engagement of the employees will reduce the physiological and mental health effects."
Parent said a lot of pressure will be put on employers, but at the same time, he said employees also need to remember to respect co-worker boundaries.
If passed, the legislation would make Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to make it easier for people to relax and spend quality time with their loved ones.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.