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Наталя ХандусенкоWork
11 February 2026, 12:21
2026-02-11
In Ukraine, they plan to officially allow employees to ignore work chats on weekends, introducing a new concept — the “right to informational peace.” At the same time, these changes open a dangerous “loophole” in the employment contract
The draft of the new Civil Code of Ukraine will introduce the concept of "right to informational peace" to protect employees' private time. According to the new Article 337, citizens will be able to legally ignore work calls and messages on weekends, holidays, or during vacation. The main thing is that such a refusal cannot be a reason for reprimands, dismissals, deprivation of bonuses, etc.
The draft of the new Civil Code of Ukraine will introduce the concept of "right to informational peace" to protect employees' private time. According to the new Article 337, citizens will be able to legally ignore work calls and messages on weekends, holidays, or during vacation. The main thing is that such a refusal cannot be a reason for reprimands, dismissals, deprivation of bonuses, etc.
The changes provide for a number of critical situations when the right to informational peace does not apply: this is a matter of national security, accident prevention, health protection or saving lives. This means that emergency services workers, doctors, police and military personnel will actually remain outside the scope of this norm. The parties can also stipulate other conditions directly in the employment contract, writes "Sudovo-Yurydichna Gazeta".
Although the current Civil Code is a guardian of privacy, it lags significantly behind the demands of the digital age. According to Article 301 of the Civil Code, everyone has the right to independently manage their own private space and decide who to allow into it. This means that intrusion into this space - for example, through work emails or calls during free time - without the person's permission is unacceptable, except in cases of offenses confirmed by a court.
Back in 2021, in response to the challenges of the pandemic, the Labor Code introduced the concept of a “blackout period” for remote workers. This provision allows for the official ignoring of any means of communication with management without the risk of receiving a reprimand or being accused of violating discipline. However, the main limitation is that this right must be recorded in the employment contract and applies exclusively to those who work remotely.
Article 337 of the new Civil Code aims to demarcate paid working time and personal space, enshrining the right to informational peace. However, the provision that this peace can be revoked through the terms of the contract opens a dangerous “loophole”. This could lead to the emergence of standard employment contracts, where the obligation to be in touch 24/7 becomes a mandatory condition of employment by default.
