NCP MP Supriya Sule tabled the “Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025” in Lok Sabha, empowering employees to ignore work calls and emails outside hours and holidays, amid burnout debates.
Introduced on 5 December during the Winter Session, the private member’s bill by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule addresses the erosion of personal time in India’s fast-paced work culture.
It grants workers a legal right to disengage from professional communications-such as calls, emails, and messages-beyond official hours, weekends, and public holidays. Firms with more than 10 employees must negotiate clear overtime policies, while the proposed Employees’ Welfare Authority would oversee enforcement, investigate complaints, and study digital overload’s impact.
Penalties for violations could reach 1% of a company’s annual payroll, with added measures like mandatory counselling and digital detox programmes for affected staff.
Sule highlighted the bill’s intent during tabling, stating it aims for “a better quality of life and healthier work-life balance by reducing burnout caused by today’s digital culture.”
This comes as surveys reveal Indians often work 48-50 hours weekly, far exceeding global averages, fuelling stress and mental health crises.
Labour advocates have welcomed the clarity on protections against retaliation for disconnecting, positioning the bill as a shield for overworked professionals in sectors like IT and services.
Public Applause Meets Industry Caution
Social media erupted with support post-introduction, with users labelling it a “game-changer” for work-life harmony. Videos and posts on platforms like Instagram and YouTube garnered thousands of shares, praising Sule’s move alongside her related bills on paternity leave and gig worker protections.
One viral reel called it “empowering workers to reclaim evenings,” reflecting widespread fatigue from “always-on” expectations amplified by remote work since the pandemic.
Yet, industry voices urge flexibility. Business lobbies emphasise that rigid rules might hinder global operations in 24/7 sectors, suggesting opt-in clauses or sector-specific exemptions.
No official Lok Sabha response or debate scheduling has emerged yet, typical for private bills with low passage rates-less than 5% historically. Still, the buzz signals shifting public sentiment towards prioritising well-being over hustle.
Global Lessons Shaping India’s Push
France pioneered the “right to disconnect” in 2017, mandating companies to negotiate off-hours email policies, followed by Australia, Belgium, and Portugal with fines for breaches. These laws stemmed from evidence linking constant connectivity to anxiety, depression, and productivity dips-issues now mirrored in India.
A 2024 ILO report noted 70% of Indian employees check work messages after hours, correlating with rising burnout cases.
Post-COVID, hybrid models blurred boundaries further, prompting calls for reform. Sule’s reintroduced bill builds on earlier attempts, like 2021 proposals, amid high-profile cases of executive exhaustion.
It aligns with NITI Aayog discussions on sustainable work practices, potentially influencing broader labour codes if momentum builds.
Human Stories Behind the Policy
Real-life impacts humanise the debate. IT professionals recount 10 PM calls derailing family time, while gig workers face app pings round-the-clock. Mental health experts cite a 30% rise in work-related stress consultations since 2022.
One anonymous employee shared online: “This bill could save marriages and minds.” Advocates argue it fosters kinder workplaces, reducing attrition costs estimated at ₹50,000 per employee annually.
The bill’s welfare authority would also track trends, offering data-driven tweaks. This proactive stance could set precedents for future rights, like fair AI workload monitoring.
Challenges to Enactment and Passage
Private member’s bills rarely become law without government backing, facing hurdles like limited debate slots. Critics question enforcement in informal sectors employing 90% of workers.
Supporters counter that starting with formal firms creates models for expansion. Ongoing Winter Session dynamics, including opposition-government tensions, may delay or boost visibility.
Stakeholders like trade unions push for swift referral to committees, while chambers of commerce seek consultations.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
In a nation chasing growth, safeguarding rest is an act of empathy, not entitlement-it nurtures productive, harmonious lives.
The Logical Indian champions this bill for championing human dignity amid digital overload, urging dialogue between employers and workers for balanced enforcement.
Enactment could spark positive change, valuing well-being as true progress.
