The Portuguese Parliament has passed legislation on teleworking

The Portuguese Parliament has passed legislation on teleworking. The new rules impose an obligation on companies, for example, to reimburse people at the home office for increased costs for electricity or internet connection. One of the adopted standards also prohibits writing or calling employees outside working hours. Employers face a fine for this. "Any violation is a serious offense and could result in a fine," said a law passed by Portuguese lawmakers last Friday. According to them, employers must not violate the employee's privacy, or rest periods and time spent with the family by calling or sending them e-mails after working hours, informs CNN Business. The rule does not apply to companies with less than ten employees. The new legislation also stipulates that employers are responsible for providing suitable means of working from home. Businesses have to reimburse employees for any additional expenses, such as an increase in their electricity or gas bill or internet connection. The employee also has the new right to work from home without prior agreement with the employer if he has a child under the age of eight. Last but not least, the new Portuguese measures seek to address the feelings of alienation and loneliness that a person may experience in a long-term home office. Therefore, employees must meet with their superiors in person, at least every two months, in order to avoid psychological isolation of a person who works exclusively from home. The set of standards represents the Portuguese Parliament's effort to set out-of-office rules for future pandemics. The new legislators welcome the new ways of working, but they say it is necessary to establish a framework that sets out the rights and obligations of all parties involved. The whole of the European Union is preparing something similar now.