Blue Flash 07/2025

Geert De Bock
Jul 17
5 min read

Updated: Jul 18

Right to disconnect: vacation is really a vacation

Why the right to disconnect is more important than ever during the summer months

While summer vacation means a time of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation for many, for some, that much-needed break is interrupted by emails, calls, or work-related messages. Yet, since 2022, there has been a legal right to disconnect in Belgium.

What does the right to disconnect entail?

The right to disconnect guarantees that employees are not obligated to be professionally available outside of working hours. This means no obligation to answer emails, no work phone calls after hours or on weekends, and certainly not during leave or vacation periods.

Since April 1, 2023, employers with at least 20 employees are required to include agreements on this matter in their employment regulations or a collective labor agreement (CLA).

Why is it so important during holiday periods?

• Recovery and well-being: Disconnection ensures that employees can truly recover, both physically and mentally.

• Maintaining boundaries: The work-life balance is respected.

• Better productivity: Employees who return home refreshed are often more motivated and creative.

• Signal of trust: It indicates that the employer takes the well-being of his employees seriously.

What can you do as an employee?

• Set an out-of-office message and refer to a substitute.

• Turn off work notifications on your smartphone or laptop.

• Inform colleagues and managers in a timely manner about your leave.

• Consciously leave your work phone at home or switched off during your vacation.

What can employers and managers do?

• Respect the vacation leave of colleagues.

• Encourage a culture of disconnection: no emails after hours, no team calls during leave.

• Plan workload before and after the holidays realistically.

📌 Union tip

If you have any questions or problems regarding your availability during your vacation, you can always contact your union representative. Together we are stronger for a healthy work environment!

Did you know that those who take a vacation every year are up to a third less likely to suffer from burnout, depression, or cardiovascular disease? Your brain needs rest from time to time. So taking a break isn't just enjoyable, it's also necessary: and it's only truly a vacation when you completely disconnect.

Here is a link to the Charter on disconnection from work and the use of digital communication tools.

The ACLVB/CGSLB team wish you a fantastic holiday!

Beware: Fraudsters are abusing itsme® during the summer

Fraudsters are becoming increasingly creative in their attempts to deceive victims. They primarily use psychological tricks—also known as social engineering—to try to get people to confirm actions through the itsme® app, without initiating these actions themselves.

Febelfin and Belgian Mobile ID (developer of itsme®) are joining forces to warn users about this clever form of online fraud, which creates extra victims during the holiday season.

How do fraudsters operate?

Scammers often pose as bank employees or government agencies. They call or send messages about an urgent situation, such as suspicious payments or "securing" your account. You're asked to quickly confirm an action via itsme®, but in reality, you're authorizing a transaction initiated by the fraudster.

Examples:

• You think you are blocking fraudulent payments, but you actually validate them.

• You think you are confirming your identity, but you are giving access to your banking environment.

Tips to protect yourself:

• Decline any action that you did not initiate.

• Always read the itsme® screen carefully before confirming.

• Don't be rushed: no bank or service will ask you to solve a problem via itsme®.

Make sure you stay vigilant even during your vacation. itsme® is safe, as long as you stay alert.

More info: www.itsme-id.com | www.febelfin.be

Increase meal vouchers:

ACLVB/CGSLB welcomes the decision to increase the maximum value of meal vouchers by 2 euros starting January 1, 2026. "More purchasing power on the menu," says the liberal trade union, which welcomes the measure as a concrete step towards more financial breathing space for employees.

The increase comes not a moment too soon: in a period when the cost of living continues to rise, every extra euro in purchasing power is more than welcome. ACLVB played a leading role in this issue with its boostmaaltijdcheques.be / https://boosterleschequesrepas.be/ campaign, which was supported by more than 30,000 people through an online petition.

From action to results

According to us, the successful campaign demonstrates that a positive, constructive approach and modern mobilization can truly make a difference. Trade union work in 2025 will no longer be solely about protest, but primarily about making progress through concrete proposals, broad support, and political pressure.

Still work to be done

However, the increase in the statutory maximum is just the beginning. "It's now up to us to make concrete agreements so that everyone can truly benefit from this increase."

Current: Pension measures disproportionately affect employees, especially women.

Due to the De Wever government's pension reform, almost half of the women who want to retire early will be at risk of receiving a reduced pension starting next year.

That's because they don't meet the stricter requirements: those who haven't worked long enough simply receive less. Many women build their careers differently, for example, by working part-time or caring for their families. And it's precisely this that is now being penalized.

📣We ask that the government reconsider these plans.

👉Read our full position on our website :

Does the banner of "liberal trade union" no longer cover its basis ?

The ACLVB is considering dropping the word 'liberal' from its name.

Chairman Gert Truyens notes that the term is hindering the union's growth. " We are politically independent, not tied to any pillar, and we want to reflect that in our name ," he says. Members were consulted about this via email.

The union wants to evolve into a 'union 2.0', focused on active employees and a broad range of services.

Truyens advocates for a constructive union that seeks solutions rather than conflict. For example, ACLVB didn't support the strike against the De Wever government, but it did campaign successfully through a petition for higher meal vouchers.

The members are still voting on a possible name change....

What certainly will not change:

The contents are stronger than the label.

The ACLVB has long been a modern trade union that champions individual freedom and the power of collective protection. That is the core of its story, and it transcends the classic ideological divides.

The trade union grows with society.

The union has evolved into a progressive advocate for all workers, regardless of their background, religion, identity, or belief. This makes us stronger, not weaker.

Freedom is social.

Our vision of liberalism is socially anchored: people are only truly free when they are protected from injustice, inequality, and arbitrariness. And that is precisely what we fight for every day.

Boost your creativity

Calling all employees – Let your creativity shine for ACLVB/CGSLB@ING!

In the run-up to the launch of our new website in Q4 2025, we want to involve as many colleagues as possible in strengthening our visibility within ING.

That's why we're calling on you to submit a creative contribution before September 30, 2025!

Get inspired and send us:

🖋️ An article

💬 A slogan

📸 A photo

📽️ A presentation

🎭 Or any other original submission!

As long as it contributes to who we are and what we stand for as ACLVB@ING, your idea is more than welcome!

Every entry will be rewarded!

In addition, selected contributions have a chance of being featured on our new website.

Please submit your submission to aclvb-cgslb@ing.com, or feel free to speak to a member of the ACLVB team.

Make your voice heard – show your commitment and creativity.