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Context:
The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, a Private Member’s Bill introduced by NCP MP Supriya Sule, has sparked renewed debate on work–life balance and employee well-being in India’s increasingly digital work culture.
What the Bill Seeks to Do
The Bill aims to grant employees a statutory right to disengage from work-related communications outside agreed working hours, protecting personal time amid constant digital connectivity and remote work.
Key Features
- Legal Right to Disconnect – Employees can ignore work calls, emails, or messages after contractual work hours without fear of disciplinary action (Section 7).
- Defined Out-of-Work Hours – Clearly specifies hours beyond which employees are not expected to respond, reducing ambiguity and employer overreach.
- Employees’ Welfare Authority – A central body to oversee implementation, safeguard employee dignity, and promote work–life balance.
- Negotiation Charter – Mandates employer–employee agreements detailing after-hours communication protocols and exceptions.
- Overtime Compensation – Employees responding voluntarily after hours are entitled to overtime pay at normal wage rates (Section 11).
- Digital Well-Being Measures – Awareness programs, counselling services, and Digital Detox Centres, particularly for remote work environments.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance – Violating organizations face a financial penalty of 1% of total employee remuneration, acting as a deterrent.