Victorian VPS right to disconnect: handling calls and messages outside your shift
The right is generally to refuse to monitor, read or respond to work contact outside working hours unless the refusal is unreasonable, not an absolute ban on an employer making contact. It can apply to contact from third parties as well as the employer.
How it works in practice
Check the reason and urgency, the method and disruption, your duties, any payment for availability or additional work, and your personal circumstances. A routine shift swap message is not necessarily the same as emergency contact or a compensated standby obligation. Document the pattern and seek clear expectations for what must be dealt with immediately and what can wait.
The policy discusses protection against adverse action because an employee has or exercises the right. If contact and expectations are disputed, keep the contact record and check the workplace and agreement dispute routes. A discipline or termination issue may have different procedures and deadlines.
Source and status
This Victorian Public Service common policy was listed as updated 3 April 2025. It guides clause 44 and the Fair Work Act. The Victorian Government says common policies prevail over inconsistent agency policies, while the agreement and applicable legislation prevail over the common policy. Check coverage before relying on it, particularly outside the Victorian Public Service.
Read the official policy PDF and check the common policy register. General information only.
Read the official policy PDF on this page
© Copyright State Government of Victoria. Unaltered copy of the official source PDF, reproduced under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Check the official source for later updates.
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