Portugal makes it illegal for your boss to text you after work in 'game changer' remote work law

[Celerity]

https://www.euronews.com/next/2021/11/08/portugal-makes-it-illegal-for-your-boss-to-text-you-after-work

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Surprising

Can't the boss just call to talk? Is that already against their employment laws?
If not, the boss will get around "no texting" with a live call!

[Peer Gynt]

2. Headline just mentions texting, but

story says “any contact” outside work hours

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Probably Correct

I don't see that ever happening in the US, though.
At least above a certain professional level.
In fact, I could see the job description being written to require assent to contact by a prospective employee.
I say that because I'm guessing it wouldn't be illegal to contact an employee after hours who says they're ok with it. There's always the eager, ambitious types who would accept contact as a way to get ahead.

[MichMan]

4. Hope they have some exceptions

I have received texts from my boss telling me not to come in because the plant was closed due to big amounts of snowfall or a power outage. If this law was in the US, I would have to drive 20 miles through a blizzard for nothing.

Does it also mean employees are forbidden to text their boss to inform them of a family emergency or sickness?

[NYC Liberal]

5. It does have exceptions for "force majeure"

So unexpected workplace closure, emergencies, etc would be allowed.

Obviously like a lot of laws, I’m sure context will matter, and if an employer tries to abuse this and the employee files a complaint, it will be looked at and a judge/regulator will decide.

[Polybius]

6. Dumb law

My boss texts me questions about his iPad settings, and I'm happy to help him.