“Should employees have the right to turn off their devices?”

This question came up at a conference today. Call me an old fuddy-duddy (my daughters would if they had ever heard of the expression) but my first thought was: wow, has it come to this already?

That the question was even asked is a worry, particularly as employers are being asked to focus on wellbeing and to minimise psychosocial risks.

On the other hand, most people are absolutely addicted to their phones and spend as much time as possible on them, because social media is expertly and purposely designed to cause addiction.

I've long maintained that a manager or supervisor who sends emails or texts to staff outside working hours is just flagging to everyone that he or she is a poor manager.

Is my thinking fair, or just hopelessly out of touch? Answers on a postcard please.