Pandemic puts 'right to disconnect' in spotlight as provinces inch toward policies

During Danish Yusuf's morning routine, his work phone rarely rings and seldom is there an appointment with his Toronto insurance company staff.

The lack of disruptions is no coincidence. Yusuf instructed staff not to plan meetings or send electronic communications early in the morning or after 5 p.m. years ago in hopes of helping staff relax and enjoy their personal lives.

"I have a three-and-a-half-year-old daughter and people will not schedule a meeting with me between 8 and 9 a.m. because that's when I'm giving her breakfast, changing her and dropping her off to daycare," said the chief executive at Zensurance.

"My team knows that and people appreciate that."

His policy has taken on new importance and been considered by more companies and governments as the lines between work and personal lives have blurred even further during the pandemic.

Canadians working from home during the crisis have found themselves increasingly balancing their boss's needs with family duties, like caring for children at home because of school outbreaks.

Stepping away from the phone or computer can be tough, when many are no longer commuting and the allure of going out has diminished as COVID-19 cases rise again.

The average time Canadian workers spent logged onto a computer increased from nine to 11 hours a day during the pandemic, cybersecurity company NordLayer found in February.

More recently, a November report from human resources software company Ceridian found 84 per cent of the 1,304 Canadian workers surveyed by Hanover Research felt burned out over the last two years.

Some are anxious for these stats to change.

Inspired by a 2016 law giving workers in France the right to turn off electronic work devices outside of business hours, Canada's federal government started reviewing labour standards and mulling whether to give workers the right to ignore work-related messages when at home in 2018.

A committee convened in October was expected to analyze the issue and provide then-Labour Minister Filomena Tassi with recommendations in spring.

Michelle Johnston, director of communications for new Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan, wouldn't confirm whether the recommendations were ever received, but said in an email that "work on this file continues."

However, Quebec and Ontario aren't waiting for federal regulations.