As the world heads back to work following the Christmas break, the monotonous churn of endless, inescapable emails kicks back into life.
Apart from in France that is, where a new law has been introduced, making it illegal for companies to expect staff to check work emails out of office hours.
Dubbed the "right to disconnect", the move is designed to help ensure a better work/life balance for all.
The new law, which was formally brought into effect on January 1, requires all companies with more than 50 employees to negotiate times when staff have the right to ignore all work-based communications.
This includes emails, instant messages and calls from your boss trying to get you to pull together an urgent, last-minute report.
It has been brought in to curb mounting stress levels and unfair, unpaid overtime for staff who are expected to answer and send emails at all hours.
With France having a traditional working week of 35 hours, the new law could save employees hours of additional, unpaid work.
Speaking with the BBC, French legislator Benoit Hamon described the new law as a victory for those employees who "leave the office, but do not leave their work."
He added too many people "remain attached by a kind of electronic leash - like a dog."
It's not just staff that the move could help, either.
Reports have claimed that more rested, relaxed workers will reduce time off, saving companies money.
It's also believed that employees will be more effective, able to get through larger work loads during office hours without the worry of their working day continuing long into the night.
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