The impact of digitalization on the working time in the EU: legal considerations of the right to disconnect

The emerging technologies and the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated the adoption of remote and flexible work and increased the use of digital technologies in the workplace, raising concerns about work-life balance and the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life. As a result, the impact of digitalization on the dematerialization of working time and the right to disconnect is highly relevant.This paper aims to critically analyze the current legal structure governing working time and rest time and determine whether it can address the problems brought on by digitization, especially concerning the right to disconnect.In conclusion, this study provides important insights into the impact of digitalization on the dematerialization of working time in the European Union (EU) and the need to protect employees' rights in the digital age. The article draws attention to the difficulties of digitization and the inadequacy of the EU's present legal system governing working time. The research provides recommendations for policymakers on how to use digitalization to promote the rights of employees who work remotely or have flexible work arrangements in a sustainable manner.