Kyle Sandilands has issued a warning to Australian workers as the government’s new “right to disconnect” laws come into effect on Monday.
Starting August 26, employees of large companies will be able to refuse to answer “unreasonable” calls from their employer outside of working hours.
Speaking on his Kyle and Jackie O breakfast show on KIIS FM on Monday, Kyle warned Australians celebrating the new industrial shift not to get too excited.
“That doesn’t mean you won’t be thrown backstage,” said the 53-year-old radio host.
Kyle argued that while it would be illegal under the new legislation for bosses to punish workers for failing to respond outside of work hours, some unscrupulous managers could find ways to get around the laws.
“Don’t think for a second, ‘To hell with that real estate boss,'” Kyle said.
“Because sooner or later they will find a way to get rid of you so they can get around the limits.”
Kyle also urged all Australian workers not to abuse the system.
Kyle Sandilands has issued a warning to Australian workers as the government’s new “right to disconnect” laws come into effect on Monday
“You can say to anyone, ‘Oh, by law, I don’t have to answer that,’ and they’ll say, ‘Don’t worry about it. ’”
“And then they punish you for every little infraction. You’ll go if they want you to go, one way or another. So don’t abuse the system.”
Kyle’s co-host Jackie O Henderson, 49, agreed with Kyle’s warning, adding that being contacted outside of working hours was a modern problem.
“I feel like that could happen,” Jackie said.
“I think sometimes it’s because working hours are endless these days. When you didn’t have email or a cell phone, you were never bothered outside of work hours.”
Kyle replied: “And nothing was done. It was the late 70s. The world turned very slowly back then.”
Kyle argued that while it would be illegal for bosses to punish workers for failing to respond outside of work hours, some unscrupulous managers could find ways to get around the laws.
The new laws will legally protect workers from being forced to take non-emergency calls and respond to emails outside of business hours.
Employees of large companies may refuse to answer “unreasonable” calls from their employer outside of working hours. Failing to answer the phone will be unreasonable if contact is required by law.
If the law does not require responding to the call or email, reasonableness will be judged by the employee’s level of job responsibility, how disruptive the contact was, and whether the employee received compensation.
The Fair Work Commission is the port of contact where an employee or employer can make a complaint.
Businesses that violate the rules, including an individual employee, may be subject to civil penalties of up to $19,800.
The changes do not prohibit an employer from sending the email or message outside of working hours.
The new federal laws will apply to businesses with 15 or more employees starting August 26, 2025. Smaller businesses have another 12 months to adapt to the change.
“Everyone can say, ‘Oh, by law, I don’t have to answer that’… but then they get punished for a small infraction. So don’t abuse the system,” he told listeners.
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