Kyle Sandilands warns Australian workers celebrating new laws on ‘right to disconnect’

Kyle Sandilands has issued a warning to Australian workers as the government’s new ‘right to be offline’ laws come into effect on Monday.

From August 26, employees of large companies will be allowed to refuse to answer ‘unreasonable’ phone calls from their employer outside working hours.

On his KIIS FM Kyle and Jackie O breakfast show on Monday, Kyle warned Australians celebrating the new industry change not to get too excited.

“That doesn’t mean they won’t chase you away behind the scenes,” the 53-year-old radio host said.

Kyle argued that while the new law would make it illegal for bosses to punish employees who don’t show up after work, some unscrupulous managers could find ways to get around the law.

“Don’t think for one second, ‘That agent can go to hell,’” Kyle said.

‘Because eventually they will find a way to get rid of you and bypass the borders.’

Kyle also urged all Australian workers not to abuse the system.

Kyle Sandilands has issued a stern warning to Australian workers as the government’s new ‘right to disconnect’ laws come into effect on Monday

“You can say to anyone, ‘Oh, legally I don’t have to respond to that,’ and they say, ‘Don’t worry.'”

“And then they’ll get you for every little infraction. You’ll go when they want you to go, one way or another. So don’t abuse the system.”

Kyle’s co-host Jackie O. Henderson, 49, agreed with Kyle’s warning, adding that being approached outside of work hours is a modern-day problem.

“I have a feeling that could happen,” Jackie said.

“I think sometimes it’s because working hours are endless these days. Before email and cell phones, you were never bothered outside of work hours.”

Kyle replied, “And nothing was done. It was the late ’70s. The world was turning very slowly then.”

Kyle argued that while it would be illegal for bosses to punish employees who are unresponsive after hours, some unscrupulous managers could find ways to circumvent the laws.

The new laws legally protect employees from being required to take non-urgent calls and respond to emails outside of working hours.

Employees of large companies can refuse to answer ‘unreasonable’ phone calls from their employer after hours. Not answering the phone is unreasonable if the contact is required by law.

If the law does not require a response to the phone call or email, reasonableness is assessed based on the level of responsibility of the employee’s job, how disruptive the contact was, and whether the employee received compensation for it.

The Fair Work Commission is the point of contact for employees and employers to lodge complaints.

Companies that violate the rules, including individual employees, could be fined up to $19,800.

The changes do not prohibit an employer from sending the email or message outside of working hours.

The new federal laws will apply to businesses with 15 or more employees from August 26, 2025. Smaller businesses will have another 12 months to adapt to the change.

“Anyone can say, ‘Oh, the law says I don’t have to respond to that’… but then they’ll get you for a minor violation. So don’t abuse the system,” he told listeners.