While we do not routinely report on employment legislation enacted by other countries, we became aware of one recent new law that struck us as so over the top that we wanted to bring it to your attention. At this point, there is no reason to believe that this new law will catch on outside of Portugal where it was passed. Nevertheless, it is indicative of the types of broad legal protections that worker advocates push for when the political climate is favorable, in this case in the context of work-from-home policies implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new Portuguese law, 745/XIV/2, gives employees who work remotely enhanced protections centered on increasing the separation of work life and home life in response to the sustained work-from-home posture that has been created here and in many other jurisdictions resulting from the pandemic. Among other things, the new law prohibits an employer employing 10 or more workers from contacting a remote employee outside of his or her regular work hours, including by email, text, or other electronic means.
Members of the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC) can read more here.