The U.K. is considering joining a host of other European countries in making it more costly for restless employers to contact their employees after the working day ends.
The country’s fresh-faced Labour government is drafting legislation that would outlaw late-night WhatsApps, emails, and Slacks and potentially fine dissenting bosses heftily.
While commonplace across Europe, legislation giving workers a “right to disconnect” has lagged behind in the U.K., but now might become more European if reported changes to work culture are implemented.
You do realize that you can schedule messages?
Yeah! At scale that really falls apart. I have lots of conversations with lots of people across timezones so waiting for the intersection of everyone actively blocks work.
Asynchronous communication is exactly that. If you are not listening when your manager says “don’t Slack after work” that’s on you. I sure fucking don’t and I make that very clear.
The fact that you are explicit about them not needing to read or answer after hours, and reiterate to the team during periodic meetings makes this fine IMO. You work when you do, and they work when they do.