Does digital availability call into question the human rights of workers?
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Abstract
In this article we make a perfunctory reflection on the human rights challenged by the permanent digital connection of employees in order to, in a near future, study the existence of a human right to digital disconnection. After analysing the human rights potencially affected by the digital “hyperconnectivity” of the employee, we conclude that this practice calls into question long-established human rights such as the right to rest, health and conciliation of family and professional lives. The right to disconnection, even if seen as an instrumental human right, should be identically protected as the other human rights, and States must guarantee its effectiveness so that employees have the same level of protection online and offline.
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