The right to disconnect, a concept rapidly gaining traction worldwide and recently passed in Australia, is essential for promoting a healthier work-life balance within this profession.  

This article explores the right to disconnect, its significance for Australian accountants, and how the legislation helps the accounting workforce.  

Understanding the right to disconnect 

The right to disconnect refers to an employee's ability to disengage from work-related communications and activities outside of designated working hours. This includes not being obligated to respond to emails, messages, or calls during evenings, weekends, and holidays.  

The concept originated in France in 2016 when email guidelines were laid out for businesses with over 50 employees. These guidelines outline that employees can establish terms based on their roles and work.  

In January 2024, Members of the European Parliament called for the right to disconnect to be a fundamental right EU-wide.  They suggested that the 'always on' culture leads to an increased risk of burnout, anxiety, and depression. Parliament called for a new law that enables those working digitally to disconnect outside their working hours. 

The 'right to disconnect' passed through parliament on 12 February 2024 and received royal assent on 26 February 2024.  

As the provisions take effect six months after royal assent, the 'right to disconnect' will take effect in August 2024. 

The unique challenges faced by accounting firms and employers 

Accounting firms encounter specific challenges that underscore the importance of the right to disconnect: 

A high-pressure industry for accounting employees

The accounting profession is inherently under pressure, particularly during peak periods like tax season or end-of-year financial audits.  

The intensity of these periods often leads to additional hours of work and an expectation of constant availability, as a recent Hays survey highlights. The survey stated that over 80 percent of professionals feel pressure to continue working beyond office hours. 

Advancements in technology and ways of working 

The rise of remote work and advanced communication tools has made it easier for accountants to work from anywhere, leading to increased after-hours communication. 

Learn more about embracing the digital workplace in your accounting practice. 

Client expectations 

Clients often expect immediate responses to their financial queries, adding to the pressure always to be connected. 

Learn more about mastering client relationships for accounting practices. 

Regulatory deadlines 

Strict and often immovable regulatory deadlines further exacerbate the need for accountants to be perpetually available, contributing to extended work hours. 

These factors make the right to disconnect particularly relevant for accountants at high risk of burnout and work-related stress. 

The benefits of the 'right to disconnect' for accountants in Australia 

Implementing the right to disconnect offers numerous benefits for accountants and their employers: 

• Improved mental health: Allowing accountants to disengage from work helps reduce stress and prevent burnout, leading to better overall mental health and wellbeing. 

• Increased productivity: Rested and rejuvenated employees are more productive and focused during working hours, resulting in higher quality work and better client outcomes. 

• Enhanced job satisfaction: When accountants clearly separate work and personal life, they are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs, reducing turnover rates and fostering a positive work environment. 

• Better work-life balance: According to a survey by McKinsey, an estimated 11 percent of Australian employees are experiencing very high-degree staff burnout.  The right to disconnect can help maintain a healthier work-life balance, improving quality of life and job satisfaction. 

What do the 'right to disconnect' laws mean for the accounting industry? 

The new legislation requires accounting firms to have policies outlining employees' 'rights to disconnect' from work outside of working hours. Firms must also provide employees with adequate notice of any changes to this policy. 

Accounting firms must also ensure employees are not penalised for not responding to emails or other work-related notifications outside of working hours.  

Additionally, accounting firms should respect employees' rights to disconnect and not contact employees outside of work hours. 

Challenges to the ‘right to disconnect’ for the accounting industry 

While the right to disconnect is essential, its implementation is not without challenges: 

• Client expectations: Managing client expectations can be challenging, especially when clients are accustomed to immediate responses. Clear communication and setting boundaries are crucial. 

• Global teams: For larger accounting firms with international teams, differing time zones can complicate the enforcement of disconnect policies. Solutions need to account for these variations. 

• Enforcement: Ensuring compliance with disconnect policies requires consistent monitoring and commitment from all firm levels. 

Despite these challenges, the benefits of implementing the right to disconnect far outweigh the difficulties, contributing to a healthier, more productive workforce.  

How should my firm prepare for the ‘right to disconnect’? 

A practical approach is to develop a comprehensive 'right to disconnect' policy that provides guidelines and protocols for accountants to disconnect from work-related technology after hours.  

These should include setting expectations around email response times, establishing designated non-work times, and providing training and resources to help employees manage their digital workloads effectively. 

Additionally, accounting firms can encourage the adoption of work-from-home policies that promote flexibility and autonomy while maintaining clear boundaries between ordinary hours of work and personal time.  

Australian accounting firms need to prepare ahead of 26 August 2024 by: 

• They communicated with their employees about working hours and expectations within the context of their business and stakeholders. 

• Reviewing employment contracts and internal policies to outline and support any requirement for firm employees to be reasonably available outside of working hours and clarify any remuneration. 

• Outline clear performance expectations in job descriptions and performance discussions for reasonable contact outside of working hours.  

• Ensure robust policies and processes are in place to eliminate risks to health and safety after hours. 

Leading a culture shift 

Encouraging a cultural shift within the accounting profession towards valuing work-life balance is essential. This can be achieved through: 

• Training and awareness: Implementing programs highlighting the importance of disconnecting from work and educating employees and managers about the benefits. 

• Leading by example: Leadership should adopt a level of responsibility by respecting work hours and avoiding after-hours contact. 

• Promoting mental health: Integrating initiatives that support employees' wellbeing and promote a healthy work-life balance. 

Accounting practice solutions 

Technological solutions for your accounting firm can play a significant role in reinforcing the right to disconnect: 

• Automated responses: Implementing automated email responses that inform senders of the recipient's availability and set expectations for response times. 

• Client management software: Communication tools, such as client management software, allow messages to be scheduled for delivery during working hours. 

• Time and billing software: Employing tools that track work hours and alert managers when employees consistently work beyond their designated hours. 

• Reporting and insights: These solutions can help you gain critical insights into your staff and team productivity, including how your work is distributed and identify areas where the 'right to disconnect' may be compromised. 

Conclusion 

The right to disconnect is not merely a luxury but a necessity for Australian accountants.  

The pressures of the accounting profession and the pervasive nature of modern technology make it imperative to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life.  

By embracing the right to disconnect, the accounting profession can prevent employee burnout and foster a healthier, more balanced work environment that has a positive impact on employees and employers. 

In conclusion, the right to disconnect is a critical step towards a more balanced, fulfilling, and sustainable work environment for Australian accountants, ensuring their professional and personal growth. 

We have helped many accounting firms implement practice management software to deliver a better work-life balance for accounting professionals in Australia and New Zealand. 

Talk to one of our specialists today, and let's see what will work best for your accounting practice. 

---

Access Accountants is our all-inclusive accounting practice management software that can help growing accounting practices support their accountants with their time and workflow management. Book a demo today.  

For larger firms, we have our fast and powerful APS software, which is used by three of the top four accounting firms to achieve work-life balance. Book a demo today.