1
Assistant Prof., Department of Public Law and International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran.. (Corresponding Author)
2
M.A., Department of Public Law and International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran.
In recent decades, technological transformations and the emergence of new work paradigms have blurred the boundaries between professional and personal life by fostering a state of permanent connectivity, thereby jeopardizing fundamental principles such as the right to rest, privacy, and human dignity. In this context, the concept of the right to disconnect has emerged as a novel yet essential right. This article argues that the right to disconnect is not merely an occupational privilege but must be recognized as a fundamental human right. Employing a descriptive-analytical methodology and drawing on comparative studies, this research elucidates the profound connection between this right and the foundation of human rights. It further examines the detrimental consequences of disregarding it, including occupational burnout, declining mental health, and the erosion of gender equality. Comparative findings indicate that several countries have institutionalized this right through direct legislation or collective bargaining. In contrast, an analysis of Iranian law, particularly the Labor code, reveals severe inadequacy of existing regulations in addressing the challenges of the digital age. Ultimately, this study underscores that acknowledging the right to disconnect as a fundamental right is an essential prerequisite for striking a balance between organizational productivity and the preservation of human dignity, and it provides concrete recommendations to bridge the existing gaps in both legislative and promotional frameworks.
مقامی، امیر؛ میرزاده کوهشاهی، نادر و امیرشاکرمی، مریم سادات (1402). «ابعاد حق استراحت و فراغت کارگران در اسناد بینالمللی»، فصلنامه مطالعات حقوق عمومی دانشگاه تهران، 53 (۳)
رازقی نصرآباد، حجیه بی بی (1402). «پیوند دورکاری با تعادل کار و خانواده در دوران همهگیری کووید» ۱۹، مطالعات اجتماعی روانشناختی زنان، ۲۱ (۳)
رحمانی، زهره (1400). «مفهوم و ارکان کار شایسته»، پژوهشهای حقوقی، ۲۰ (۴۵)
مرادی، بهزاد؛ شعبان نیا منصور، مهدی؛ استوار سنگری، کوروش و صداقتی، کیوان (1403). «شناسایی مؤلفههای ضروری انطباق قانون کار با مشاغل نوظهور»، پژوهشهای بنیادین در حقوق
Chiuffo, Facundo Martin (2019). “The ‘Right to Disconnect’ or ‘How to Pull the Plug on Work.’” SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3422283.
Clinton, Michael E., Conway, Neil., and Sturges, Jane (2017). “‘It’s Tough Hanging-up a Call’: The Relationships between Calling and Work Hours, Psychological Detachment, Sleep Quality, and Morning Vigor.” Journal of Occupational Health Psychology 22, no. 1: 28–39. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000025.
Dolobáč, Marcel, and Skolodová, Katarína (2022). “The Right to Disconnect in the Context of Employees’ Mental Health.” Przegląd Prawniczy Uniwersytetu Im Adama Mickiewicza 14: 163–79. https://doi.org/10.14746/ppuam.2022.14.08.
Franconi, Andrea, and Naumowicz, Kamila (2021). “Remote Work during COVID-19 Pandemic and the Right to Disconnect – Implications for Women´s Incorporation in the Digital World of Work.” Z Problematyki Prawa Pracy i Polityki Socjalnej 19, no. 2: 1–20. https://doi.org/10.31261/zpppips.2021.19.09.
Johnston, Karen., Tanwar, Jagriti., Pasamar, Susana., Van Laar, Darren., and Bamber Jones, Annali (2022). “Blurring Boundaries: Work-Life Balance and Unbounded Work in Academia. The Role of Flexibility, Organisational Support and Gender.” Labour & Industry a Journal of the Social and Economic Relations of Work, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10301763.2022.2081902.
Josserand, Emmanuel, and Boersma, Martijn (2024). “Australia’s Right to Disconnect from Work: Beyond Rhetoric and towards Implementation.” The Journal of IndustrialRelations 66, no. 5: 703–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221856241290625.
Kaishatayeva, Assel., Ibragimova, Flura., Bayazitova, Rassima., and Yessenzholov, Nurolla (2024). “Right to Disconnect: Complexities of Legalization (in the Context of International Regulatory Experience).” Journal of Law and Sustainable Development 12, no. 2. https://doi.org/10.55908/sdgs.v12i2.3089.
Kolomoets, Elena., Shoniya, Guri., Mekhmonov, Sultonali., Shuaib Abdulnabi, Abdul Karim, Nihad., and Abid Mohammad, Tuqaa (2023). “The Employee’s Right to Work Offline: A Comparative Analysis of Legal Frameworks in Different Countries.” Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental 17, no. 5. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v17n5-009.
Lerouge, Loïc., and Trujillo Pons, Francisco (2022). “Contribution to the Study on the ‘Right to Disconnect’ from Work. Are France and Spain Examples for Other Countries and EU Law?” European Labour Law Journal 13, no. 3: 450–65. https://doi.org/10.1177/20319525221105102.
Magnavita, Nicola., Tripepi, Giovanni., and Chiorri, Carlo (2021). “Telecommuting, off-Time Work, and Intrusive Leadership in Workers’ Well-Being.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 7:. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073330.
Mattern, Jana (2020). “A Classification of Organizational Interventions to Enable Detachment from Work.” In 33rd Bled eConference – Enabling Technology for a Sustainable Society: June 28 – 29, 2020, Online Conference Proceedings, 121–34. University of Maribor Press.
Pansu, Luc (2018). “Evaluation of ‘Right to Disconnect’ Legislation and Its Impact on Employee’s Productivity.” International Journal of Management and Applied Research 5, no. 3: 99–119. https://doi.org/10.18646/2056.53.18-008.
Pucheta, Mauro., and Ribeiro Costa, Ana Cristina (2023). “Going beyond the Right to Disconnect in a Flexible World: Light and Shadows in the Portuguese Reform.” Industrial Law Journal. https://doi.org/10.1093/indlaw/dwac030.
Rebelo, Glória., Delaunay, Catarina., Fernanda Diamantino, Maria., and Almeida, António R. (2024). “Telework and Women’s Perceptions on the Right to Disconnect—an Exploratory Study in Portugal.” Administrative Sciences 14, no. 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14100261.
Reilly, Amanda (2025). “Teleworking, Work Life Balance and the Right to Disconnect: Can Current and Emerging Law Adequately Protect Teleworkers?” Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington. https://doi.org/10.25455/WGTN.29125466.
Tement, Sara., Zorjan, Saša., Lavrič, Meta., Poštuvan, Vita., and Plohl, Nejc (2020). “A Randomized Controlled Trial to Improve Psychological Detachment from Work and Well-Being among Employees: A Study Protocol Comparing Online CBT-Based and Mindfulness Interventions.” BMC Public Health 20, no. 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09691-5.
Varela-Castro, Werner Horacio., María de Los Angeles Briceño-Santacruz, and María Olivia Castro-Solano (2022). “The Right to Disconnect: Influence on Competitiveness, Productivity and Creativity.” Mercados y egocios, no. 46: 5–30. https://doi.org/10.32870/myn.vi46.7667.g6736.
Salehi,H and Taheri Pour,F . (2026). The Right to Disconnect as a Fundamental Right: A Comparative Study and Reflection on the Legal Gap in Iran. Comparative Studies on Islamic Countries Law, 4(1), 23-48. doi: 10.22034/lcs.2025.2069322.1167
MLA
Salehi,H , and Taheri Pour,F . "The Right to Disconnect as a Fundamental Right: A Comparative Study and Reflection on the Legal Gap in Iran", Comparative Studies on Islamic Countries Law, 4, 1, 2026, 23-48. doi: 10.22034/lcs.2025.2069322.1167
HARVARD
Salehi H, Taheri Pour F. (2026). 'The Right to Disconnect as a Fundamental Right: A Comparative Study and Reflection on the Legal Gap in Iran', Comparative Studies on Islamic Countries Law, 4(1), pp. 23-48. doi: 10.22034/lcs.2025.2069322.1167
CHICAGO
H Salehi and F Taheri Pour, "The Right to Disconnect as a Fundamental Right: A Comparative Study and Reflection on the Legal Gap in Iran," Comparative Studies on Islamic Countries Law, 4 1 (2026): 23-48, doi: 10.22034/lcs.2025.2069322.1167
VANCOUVER
Salehi H, Taheri Pour F. The Right to Disconnect as a Fundamental Right: A Comparative Study and Reflection on the Legal Gap in Iran. CSICL. 2026;4(1):23-48 (In Persian). doi: 10.22034/lcs.2025.2069322.1167