Where did this ‘Right to Disconnect’ come from?
Generation Z has not entered the working life yet, but Generation X, the majority of whom are top-level or senior middle-level managers by age, are having trouble with Millennials. In fact, Millennials also have problems with Gen X. This philosophy of life of Millennials, whose general tendency is to express themselves through social media, is perceived by Gen X as ‘Well then, since you are online all the time, you can do some work-related things too’ is perceived as such. Naturally, as a result of this perception, it can be hard for a Generation X manager to understand why Y, who is able to make a Facebook post, send five ’tweets,‘ and make seven ’retweet‘s at 2 in the morning, fails to respond to a customer request around the same time. The inevitable end result is friction between the parties the next day. To an email that X has calmly written and read a few times to ensure it is free of typos, Y—who can rapidly type dozens of words per minute on a smartphone with agile finger movements, even if full of abbreviations or ’typos‘—responds in a way that neither ends the friction nor solves the problem of the customer waiting for an answer since 2 a.m.
While those disturbed by the increasing number of similar problems were seeking solutions, French Labor Minister El Khomri made a statement in January 2016 suggesting that legislation should include a right that could be described as the right of employees to disconnect from the internet. Following this statement, the issue was evaluated by both the public and the business community. ‘that the ’French Spring' will begin with the right not to connect to the Internet’ Leaving aside the defending radicals, the mentioned right seems to give breathing room to those who constantly press the F5 key in front of the screen to check if a new work email has arrived, or who reply to their project manager's WhatsApp messages while driving. Aside from the productive work of those who leave the workplace but fail to ‘leave work’ and constantly feel this pressure, it is known that the establishment of a healthy social order in societies formed by these individuals is not possible in the medium to long term.
However, it is also important to remember that over-the-top internet connectivity (over-connectedness) is now defined as an obsession. In the words of former French Education Minister Hamon, individuals living with their ‘electronic leash’ become colonized by messages and emails until they mentally collapse.
The right to disconnect was passed into law in France in August 2016.
Perhaps one day, alongside freedom of information or freedom of expression, the ‘right to disconnect’ will also become a human right. Who knows, maybe things will change once Generation Z, born with technology in their mother's wombs, enters the workforce. Who knows?
