Lisbon City Council Advises Employees on Working During Vacation - Controversy Erupts

Lisbon City Council (CML) has sparked controversy after sending an email to its employees detailing how they could continue working during their vacation periods. The email, which began with the question, "Are you going on vacation and want to take the CML laptop or mobile phone to continue working outside the country?", has raised eyebrows among labor rights experts.

The Department of Information Systems (DSI) defended the email, stating it aimed to inform employees about important points to consider if they chose to work abroad using CML equipment. Despite assurances that the CML's human resources policy "fully respects employees' vacation time", the email's tone suggested otherwise, even concluding with wishes for "a safe and good vacation".

Labor law experts argue that during vacation, employees are not supposed to work for their employer. They emphasize that employers should refrain from contacting employees during their rest period, barring exceptional circumstances. If an employer requests work during vacation, the employee must be compensated, and the vacation day should count as a workday. However, if an employee voluntarily works without authorization, no compensation is due.

The CML did not respond to inquiries about whether the email was prompted by employee requests for work flexibility during vacations or if it was an initiative to encourage work during rest periods.