COMMENT Workers should have right to ‘disconnect’

• Published date: 21 October 2023
• Author: Amanda Reilly
• Publication title: Daily Post, The (Rotorua, New Zealand)

History tells us that Parnell, recently arrived from London, agreed to take a job building a store on the proviso he only work eight hours a day. He reportedly told his would-be employer

“There are twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining eight for recreation and in which for men to do what little things they want for themselves.”

Given the scarcity of carpenters at the time, there wasn’t a lot of bargaining and Parnell was granted his wish. The idea gained momentum, with a meeting of Wellington workmen that year resolving to work from 8am to 5pm.

They also agreed that anyone offending against this principle would be ducked in the harbour — one way of ensuring solidarity perhaps. The principle of an eight-hour day was picked up by various union campaigns, and over time achieved some recognition in law.

More than 180 years...