Remote workers in Portugal could see a healthier work-life balance under new labour laws approved by the country's parliament.
The new rules approved on Friday are a response to the explosion of home working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Portugal's ruling Socialist Party said.
Under the new rules, employers could face penalties for contacting workers outside of office hours. Companies will also have to help pay for expenses incurred by remote working, such as higher electricity and internet bills.
But the amendments to Portugal's labour laws have limits: they will not apply to companies with fewer than ten employees.
Companies can now face fines for contacting workers outside of their normal working hours, the new rules state.
Employers are also forbidden from monitoring their employees while they work at home.
However, a proposal to include the so-called "right to disconnect" - the legal right to switch off work-related messages and devices outside office hours - was rejected by Portuguese MPs.
Companies must also now contribute to expenses that workers have incurred as a result of switching to remote working. This can include bills for electricity or internet, but not water. Employers can write off these costs as a business expense.
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