Disconnecting from Work

Policy Statement

The City of Toronto is committed to promoting, establishing and supporting practices that allow employees to disconnect from work.

To fulfill this commitment, the City will:

recognize that each workplace party has a role and responsibility in supporting practices that allow disconnecting from work
ensure that a copy of the Policy is provided to existing employees within 30 days of the Policy being approved and to new employees within 30 days of their start date.

Definition

Disconnect From Work means not engaging in work-related communications, including emails, telephone calls, video calls or the sending or reviewing of other messages, so as to be free from the performance of work.

Application

This Policy applies to all City of Toronto employees, which includes Accountability Officers and Council Members’ staff. The Policy does not apply to Council Members.

Principles

The following principles will guide the divisions, management and employees in establishing and supporting practices that allow disconnecting from work:

communicate, promote and support practices for managing work-related communications
support and encourage employees to disconnect from work outside of their regular working hours; this includes disconnecting from work communication methods, e.g. email, mobile phones and pagers
customize work-related communication to the operational needs of the division
manage and set expectations for work communications, e.g. response times, time of day communications
be mindful of sending work communications after hours and/or on weekends
be respectful of others’ disconnecting from work

Delivery of Essential/Critical Public Services

Due to operational needs, emergency responses and/or varying work schedules, it may not be feasible for employees to disconnect from work at certain times

This includes but is not limited to the following circumstances:

Critical staffing shortages due to illness
Emerging operational needs
Response to emergencies and/or on going emergency response services
Those employees working for Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Paramedic Services who are required to be accessible during off hours for emergency reasons.
Business and operational needs requiring contact outside of normal working hours including specific and time limited events or needs and those who are on-call.

Approved by

Chris Murray, City Manager

Date Approved

June 2, 2022

Effective Date