In Australia, the "right to disconnect" rule came into force, easing people who feel compelled to take calls or read messages from employers after they've finished their work day.
The new law allows employees to ignore messages after hours if they choose to do so without fear of being punished by their bosses.
According to research published last year, Australians worked an average of 281 hours of unpaid overtime per year.
More than 20 countries, mainly in Europe and Latin America, have similar rules.
The law does not prohibit employers from contacting workers after hours.
Instead, it gives employees the right not to respond unless their refusal is deemed unreasonable.
Under the rules, employers and workers must try to resolve disputes between themselves. If they can't find a solution, the Australian Fair Work Commission (FWC) can step in.
It can order the employer to stop contacting the worker after the end of working hours.
If she considers that the employee's refusal to answer is unreasonable, she can order him to answer.
Failure to comply with FWC orders can result in fines of up to A$19,000 (US$12,897; £9,762) per employee or up to A$94,000 per company.
Organizations representing workers welcomed the move.
It "will enable workers to refuse unreasonable contact outside of working hours and allow for a better work-life balance", the Australian Council of Trade Unions said.
A workplace expert told BBC News that the new rules would also help employers.
"Any organization where staff are better rested and have a better work-life balance will have staff who take less sick leave and less often leave the organisation," said John Hopkins of Swinburne University of Technology.
"Whatever benefits the employee benefits the employer."
However, employees have had a mixed reaction to the new law.
"I think it's actually very important to have laws like this," Rachel Abdelnour, an advertising industry worker, told Reuters.
"We spend so much time connected to our phones, to our emails all day, and I think it's very hard to switch off anyway.
Others, however, don't think the new rules will make much of a difference to them.
"I think it's an excellent idea. I hope it takes hold. But to be honest, I doubt it will take off in our industry," says David Brennan, a financial worker.
“We're well paid, we're expected to deliver, and we feel we need to deliver 24 hours a day.” | BGNES
