In a bold move to protect employees from the growing pressures of work outside office hours, NCP Member of Parliament Supriya Sule introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, in Lok Sabha. The bill tackle the rising concerns about work-life balance. It gives employees the right to disconnect from work-related calls and emails outside of their official hours.
Key provisions of the Lok Sabha includes
The bill has received significant attention. It proposes the creation of an Employees’ Welfare Authority. It ensures that employees not respond to work-related communications after official workday ends. The law seeks to allow employees to ignore work-related calls or emails after hours without fear of disciplinary measures from their employers.
- Right to disconnect: Employees can refuse any work-related calls or emails after work hours and on holidays.
- Data collection: The Authority conduct a foundational study to gather data on how workers use digital communication tools outside of regular work hours.
- Negotiations for overtime: The bill requires companies with more than 10 employees to negotiate terms for after-hours work. Employees working outside of official hours must receive overtime pay at the normal wage rate.
- Work-life balance initiatives: The bill also suggests that the government work with companies to provide counseling services. These centers would offer a place for employees to unplug and recharge away from the digital world.
Move to protect workers’ rights
Sule’s introductes bill in Lok Sabha and addresses the blurring lines between work and personal life. With remote work and flexible hours becoming more common, employees find themselves responding to work emails and calls at all hours. It results in burnout and a negative impact on work-life balance.
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