19/10/2026
Can you contact an employee outside their working hours?
It’s not always a simple yes OR no.
Australia's right to disconnect gives employees the right to refuse to monitor, read or respond to work-related contact outside their working hours in some circumstances, unless that refusal is unreasonable.
For employers, this makes clear expectations increasingly important. Consider:
👉 When after-hours contact is genuinely required
👉 Whether particular roles require availability
👉 How managers communicate outside working hours
👉 Whether workplace policies reflect current obligations
Clear policies and expectations can help prevent misunderstandings before they become workplace issues.
