Right to disconnect

Work is increasingly encroaching on personal time. Several nations are now implementing laws to protect employees. These 'right to disconnect' policies allow workers to ignore work-related communications after office hours. India is also considering similar legislation to promote better work-life balance and combat burnout. This move aims to ensure employees can rest and recharge.

right to disconnect Bill 2018 might be the solution to this problem

Australia's right to disconnect law enables employees to ignore work-related communications outside office hours, safeguarding personal time. In India, overworking is deeply ingrained in various sectors, and similar legislation has not advanced. The discussion centers on balancing economic growth with employee well-being and productivity.

Australia has introduced a 'right to disconnect' law to protect employees from after-hours work communications. The law addresses the intrusion of work into personal life due to digital technology, reinforcing boundaries between work and personal time.

A new bill in India's Parliament proposes a legal 'right to disconnect' for employees, aiming to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Introduced by MP Supriya Sule, the 'right to disconnect Bill, 2025' seeks to prevent employers from demanding responses outside official hours, addressing issues like burnout and sleep deprivation.

Australian workers gained the right to ignore work-related contact outside designated hours under new legislation effective from Monday. Passed in February, the law allows employees to disconnect without repercussions unless deemed unreasonable. This move aligns with similar policies in parts of Europe. Opposition labeled the law as rushed but acknowledged exceptions based on role and contact reasons.

Kerala is pioneering a 'right to disconnect' bill, granting private sector employees the legal right to ignore work communications after office hours. This landmark legislation aims to foster a healthier work-life balance by protecting employees from punishment for logging off, ensuring personal time is respected and reducing burnout. Grievance committees will oversee implementation, safeguarding workers' newfound freedom.

Kerala plans a right to disconnect Bill for 2025. This bill protects private sector employees from after-hours work demands. Research suggests effective implementation needs clear rules and company policies. It also requires manager training and grievance committees. This initiative aims to improve employee well-being and productivity. The bill seeks to balance work and personal life.

The right to disconnect Bill, introduced by NCP MP Supriya Sule, is trying to give employees the right to not respond to employers’ calls, texts or emails after office hours. The idea is to help reduce work-related stress and strive for a better work-life balance. It will apply to companies with more than 10 employees. France, Spain, Germany follow similar policies.

California lawmakers are considering AB 2751, granting employees the right to disconnect from work after hours, aiming to establish work-life balance and prevent burnout. The bill may set a precedent for other US states.

Australia implemented a 'right to disconnect' law, allowing workers to ignore job-related communications outside regular hours. The regulation aims to protect personal time and promote work-life balance, effective from today. While it generally prohibits work communications after hours, exceptions are made for emergencies. The Fair Work Commission enforces the law, ensuring compliance with penalties for violations.

MP Supriya Sule has introduced the right to disconnect Bill, 2025, aiming to grant Indian employees a legal right to switch off after work without fear of reprisal. This bill addresses the growing issue of constant digital work pressure, burnout, and blurred work-life boundaries, seeking to restore healthier professional environments.

Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule has proposed 'The right to disconnect Bill, 2025' to promote work-life balance. The bill aims to curb employee burnout from constant digital communication by granting workers the right to ignore work-related calls and emails outside office hours. Companies could face penalties for non-compliance, encouraging negotiation of out-of-hour service conditions.

A new bill seeks to shield private-sector workers from after-hours calls, emails and pressure to stay “always on”. But can it work in India?

India’s long-hour work culture now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with hard-grind economies like Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Iran, underscoring why the demand for boundaries between work and personal time is growing louder.

Australia plans to introduce laws allowing employees to ignore post-work calls/emails without penalty, aiming to protect workers' rights and restore work-life balance. Expert Mansi Poddar highlights the need for guidelines, company-level policies, and work-personal phone separation in India for employee protection and work-life balance.

A private member's bill proposing the right to disconnect has reignited discussions on work-life boundaries in India. While unlikely to become law, the bill highlights a cultural shift towards employee well-being, with several companies already implementing flexible policies and acknowledging the need to move beyond an 'always-on' work culture.

Gen Z is reshaping workplace norms. They prioritize work-life balance and clear boundaries. Surveys show flexibility is key for them. They value output over long hours. Many are ready to switch jobs for better balance. Laws are emerging to protect personal time. Gen Z's focus on well-being is setting a new standard. This shift impacts global workplaces and policies.

The right to disconnect Bill outlines clear consequences for companies that continue to demand after-hours availability, proposing financial penalties, mandatory transparency, and enforceable communication norms. While not yet enacted, the proposal signals a decisive shift in how India expects employers to respect personal time. If adopted, it could redefine accountability in an era where digital overreach has become routine.

India’s right to disconnect Bill 2025 empowers employees to ignore work communications outside official hours without facing penalties. Introduced by NCP MP Supriya Sule, the bill proposes an Employees’ Welfare Authority to monitor compliance, investigate complaints, and impose fines on non-compliant firms. Similar laws exist in France, Italy, Portugal, and Australia, ensuring work-life balance, while the U.S. lacks comprehensive protections. The legislation addresses burnout, digital overload, and the need for clear boundaries between professional and personal life.

Indian workplaces are quietly erasing the boundary between work and life, turning homes into extensions of offices. A recent survey reveals widespread after-hours intrusion, fear of repercussions, and growing burnout, especially among younger employees. As digital overreach deepens and labour laws lag, the right to disconnect Bill emerges as a crucial, though stalled, safeguard for employee dignity.

This bill marks India’s strongest legislative move yet to protect personal time in an always-connected digital work culture.

A recent workplace survey reveals a striking generational divide: while 88% of Baby Boomers feel valued when contacted after office hours, younger employees increasingly see such outreach as intrusion. The finding exposes how deeply “always-on” work culture is normalised in India—and why the debate around the right to disconnect is becoming unavoidable.

The right to disconnect Bill marks a decisive shift in India’s work culture by giving employees the legal right to refuse after-hours communication. Beyond curbing burnout, the proposal restructures workplace power by enforcing transparency, paid overtime, mental-health safeguards, and negotiated digital norms. If adopted, it could transform India’s hustle-driven ecosystem into a more democratic and humane world of work.

A survey by Indeed reveals that over 90% of Indian employees are contacted outside work hours, leading to severe work-life balance challenges. With 79% fearing missed promotions for ignoring after-hours communication, experts urge 'right to disconnect' policies to mitigate burnout and stress.

Employees in India's white-collar sector are experiencing burnout, questioning if exhaustion is the cost of ambition. A Reddit post talks about this struggle, with individuals seeking a 'soft life' that includes boundaries and personal time. The 'right to disconnect Bill' is now in Parliament, reflecting a growing demand for work-life balance.

American workers are increasingly looking towards Europe for a better work-life balance. European countries prioritize rest and well-being through protective labor laws. These laws ensure ample paid leave and discourage excessive overtime. The 'right to disconnect' policies are also in place. In contrast, the US work culture often emphasizes long hours and productivity.

An Indian employee's resignation after being asked to attend a meeting on approved leave sparked widespread discussion. This incident highlights a growing trend of work encroaching on personal time, with many professionals feeling pressured to be constantly available. The article explores the toll of overcommitment culture and the emerging demand for better work-life balance and mutual respect.