Rebecca Long-Bailey pledges to ban emails outside working hours to end '24/7 culture'
2 min read
Employees would be given the right to switch off digital devices when they go home spend so they can spend more time with their families under plans unveiled by Rebecca Long-Bailey.
The Labour leadership hopeful said she wanted to end the "24/7 culture" which sees people bombared with work-related messages even after they have clocked off.
Similar laws are already in place in France, Italy and the Philippines.
Ms Long-Bailey said a government she led would give trade unions the power to negotiate agreements with bosses in order to bring about the change.
She said: "Aspirational socialism is about us all rising together, and that means coming together to collectively solve issues that are damaging our mental health and stopping us getting quality time with our families or in our communities.
"We can all do better with aspirational socialism, through pushing for an end to the 24/7 work culture, and with trade unions empowered to negotiate this, we can work hard, be paid for the work we do and keep that precious time with our friends and family, uninterrupted by emails or demands."
France passed the El Khomri law in 2017 requiring employers with over 50 staff to negotiate with trade unions on how to stop employees receiving work messages after they go home.
Mrs Long-Bailey is currently second favourite behind Sir Keir Starmer to be elected the new Labour leader.
The winner will be announced at a special conference on 4 April.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
