In a world dominated by digital connectivity, the boundaries between work and personal life have become dangerously blurred. The Right to Disconnect Bill, introduced by Dr. N. Jayaraj, Chief Whip of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, aims to tackle this challenge by legally recognising private-sector employees’ right to disconnect from work-related communications beyond prescribed working hours.
This pioneering legislation responds to growing concerns about employee burnout, mental health, and occupational stress notably exacerbated during the pandemic when remote work intensified the “always-on” culture. If enacted, Kerala will be the first Indian state to safeguard its workers against after-hour professional intrusions, drawing inspiration from European models such as France and Belgium.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The bill defines the “Right to Disconnect” as an employee’s entitlement to refuse work-related calls, emails, messages, or any digital communication outside agreed working hours, without fear of dismissal, demotion, or reduction of benefits. It prohibits any punitive action against employees exercising this right.
To ensure enforcement, the bill mandates district-level Private Sector Workplace Grievance Redressal Committees chaired by Regional Joint Labour Commissioners to handle complaints and monitor employer compliance. Employers are required to formulate clear internal policies negotiated with employees, specify working hours explicitly, and outline exceptions for emergencies.
The bill also calls for annual reporting by employers on after-hours communication and employee well-being metrics to promote transparency.
Overview and Timeline
The Kerala Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 (PMBR No. 257), was initially proposed on September 23, 2025, as a Private Member’s Bill by Kanjirappally MLA Dr. N. Jayaraj to combat the “always-on” work culture and protect private sector employees’ mental health by allowing them to ignore non-emergency communications outside working hours; it was formally introduced in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on October 3, 2025, for official debate and discussion.
As of now, the bill remains under active consideration in the assembly, pending committee scrutiny, amendments, voting, and potential enactment, with strong endorsements from labor groups but no enforcement yet, if passed, it could set a precedent for India and take effect in 2026 through notified rules by the Labour Department.
Background and Broader Context
The bill arises from a pressing need to curb the detrimental effects of the “always-on” work culture, which research shows significantly harms mental health and family life. Studies highlight that it is not the volume of after-hours communications but the expectation to respond that leads to emotional exhaustion and burnout.
The bill revives the foundational “8-8-8 principle” advocating eight hours for work, rest, and leisure each to promote a balanced life. It aligns with Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life with dignity, recognising rest and personal time as integral to human dignity.
The legislation also draws from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, asserting the right to rest and reasonable limitation of work hours. Piloting the law in sectors with high digital demands like IT is proposed to tailor enforcement and effectiveness.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Kerala’s Right to Disconnect Bill marks a visionary stride in protecting workers’ dignity and mental health in India’s rapidly digitising work environment. The Logical Indian applauds this effort as it embodies empathy, balance, and respect for the individual against the overbearing demands of modern work cultures.
The bill not only enshrines rest as a right but emphasises systemic accountability and cultural change through grievance committees, reporting mandates, and employer training.
