New Delhi: Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule on Saturday introduced a private member’s bill seeking legal protection for employees’ right to disconnect from work-related communication beyond office hours. Titled “The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025”, the proposal aims to promote a healthier work-life balance and curb rising burnout linked to India’s expanding digital work culture.
According to the Bill, every employee would have the right to refuse calls, emails or other work-related electronic communication after working hours. Establishments — including companies and societies — may face a penalty equivalent to 1 per cent of the total salary of their employees for non-compliance with the provisions.
Sule said the growing dependence on digital tools, though beneficial for flexibility, has blurred the line between personal and professional life. The Bill notes that employees constantly expected to be available face higher risks of sleep deprivation, stress and emotional exhaustion. This pressure to respond immediately, described as “telepressure”, often forces workers to check emails even during weekends and holidays.
Quoting research, the statement of objects and reasons warns that continuous monitoring of work messages can overload the brain, leading to a condition termed “info-obesity”. The Bill argues that recognising an employee’s right to disconnect is essential to protect their privacy and mental well-being.
The proposed legislation acknowledges companies’ competitive needs and diverse work cultures, suggesting flexible implementation. It recommends allowing individual organisations to negotiate terms of service with employees regarding after-hours communication.
Sule further argued that digital transformation has altered the basic terms of employment, including time and place of work. To address unpaid overtime enabled by digital communication, the Bill proposes that employees who choose to work beyond official hours must receive overtime pay at the same rate as their wage.
The Bill also calls for counselling services to create awareness about balanced digital usage and digital detox centres to help individuals disconnect from devices and reconnect with people around them.
Concluding its purpose, the Bill says it champions employee welfare by mandating organisations to honour the right to disconnect, reduce stress and restore balance between personal and professional life.
