What is the digital disconnection protocol?

A digital disconnection protocol is a document that includes the internal policy and measures taken by the company to guarantee the right to digital disconnection for all its employees, whether they work in person, remotely, full-time or part-time.

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All companies with employees are required to have a digital disconnection protocol, regardless of size and area of activity. However, the fact that the company must have this protocol does not imply that employees are obliged to comply with it, although they must be informed and made aware of the importance of disconnecting from work during their rest periods and of the need to make reasonable use of technologies.

The digital disconnection protocol is an important instrument to protect the health and well-being of workers, as well as to guarantee an adequate balance between work and personal life and preserve the right to privacy. In short, to avoid technostress.

This right to digital disconnection means that outside of working hours, employees are not required to respond to any type of company communication, whether from superiors, colleagues or customers , and they can even disconnect electronic devices provided by the company during rest periods, leave and holidays. This includes telephones and computers. They also do not have to answer calls, emails or WhatsApp messages.

What regulations regulate the right to digital disconnection?

If a work inspection detects a violation of the right to digital disconnection, the company can be sanctioned with different amounts, depending on the severity.

Fines can range from 751 to 1,500 euros in the minimum degree, from 1,501 to 3,750 euros in the medium degree and from 3,751 to 7,500 euros in the maximum degree. If the company shows a persistent attitude or proves an intimidating, discriminatory attitude or one that could be understood as workplace harassment, the infraction could be "very serious" and reach amounts of up to 225,018 euros.

If you need more information or wish to implement the digital disconnection protocol, do not hesitate to contact DATA AND SERVICES.