New calls for ‘right to disconnect’ laws to be extended to boring small talk in office kitchens

SILENT TREATMENT: Australia’s new ‘right to disconnect’ laws give workers the right to ignore their bosses calls, texts and emails outside of work hours.

But there are growing calls this afternoon for the laws to be expanded to include the right to ignore colleagues in office kitchens.

It comes as employees seek refuge from the dreaded small talk that often accompanies coffee breaks and microwave meals.

“These forced and generic conversations are honestly the bane of my existence,” one worker told DBT.

“I’m in the kitchen for 45 seconds to heat up some food, but then I have to spend three minutes talking about my weekend plans with Jenny from accounts.”

Employer groups support the calls, saying it should be perfectly acceptable for all Australian workers to ignore their colleagues in the kitchen.

“There are too many Australian workers whose entire social lives are based around these pedestrian interactions,” says a spokesperson from the Australian Industry Group.

“An expansion of the ‘right to disconnect’ laws will save the average Australian worker two hours per week. And that’s a big win for business.”