End After-Hours Calls? Bill Seeks Your Right to Disconnect

A New Push for Work-Life Balance

In a significant move to redefine the boundaries between professional and personal life, Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule has introduced the Right to disconnect bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha. This landmark legislation aims to address the pervasive culture of constant connectivity that has led to widespread digital burnout and what some call “info-obesity.” The bill’s core mission is to legally empower every employee to disconnect from work-related electronic communications, such as calls and emails, once their official working hours are over and on holidays, fostering a healthier work-life balance.

Enforcement and Employee Welfare

To ensure these new rights are upheld, the bill proposes the establishment of a dedicated employee welfare authority. This body would be responsible for guaranteeing that employers do not compel their staff to respond to work calls after hours or on their designated time off. The legislation includes tangible consequences for non-compliance, proposing a financial penalty equivalent to 1% of an entity’s total employee remuneration. This robust framework seeks to create a clear line between work time and personal time, holding companies accountable for respecting their employees’ right to rest.

Support Systems and Legislative Hurdles

Beyond penalties, the bill advocates for proactive support measures to help employees reclaim their personal time. It suggests the creation of counselling services and digital detox centres to raise awareness about the healthy use of digital communication tools and to help individuals break free from the cycle of constant digital engagement. However, as a private member bill, its path to becoming law is challenging, as such initiatives often require substantial government backing to proceed. Nevertheless, its introduction has ignited a crucial national conversation about the future of work in an increasingly digital world.