When you can ignore your boss: new rules on after-hours work chats in Ukraine

A new draft Labor Code of Ukraine, preparing for re-submission to the Verkhovna Rada, prohibits employers from contacting workers outside working hours, according to committee head Halyna Tretiakova. Etiquette expert Nataliia Adamenko told The Telegraph that after work hours, people may ignore work-related messages and calls, citing examples of employees who turn off work phones entirely. She noted urgent business exceptions exist, where managers should apologize for contacting staff late. Adamenko stated employees receiving after-hours messages can politely decline to respond, as they may be busy elsewhere. If a work phone is off, no claims can be made against the employee.