Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 8: The national debate over work-life balance entered Parliament on Friday as Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule introduced a private member’s proposal seeking to give Indian employees a legal right to disconnect from work after office hours.

The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 aims to draw firm boundaries between professional duties and personal time at a moment when remote work, digital tools and constant connectivity have blurred traditional working hours.

What the bill proposes

The draft law states that employees should not be compelled to respond to calls, emails or messages after designated work hours or on holidays. Employers violating these provisions could face penalties amounting to 1% of the organisation’s total employee remuneration.

Why boundaries are needed

According to the Bill, round-the-clock availability has become an ingrained feature of the modern workplace. Sule argues that while digital tools offer flexibility, they have also created a culture where employees feel obliged to stay connected late into the night. The proposal cites studies linking this pressure to sleep deprivation, emotional burnout and “telepressure”, a form of cognitive overload tied to excessive digital communication.

The Bill positions the right to disconnect as a step to safeguard mental health and personal space, while allowing flexibility. Employers may negotiate terms suited to their work models, but transparency and employee consent are mandatory.

Overtime and digital well-being measures

If employees opt to work outside official hours, the Bill mandates standard-rate overtime pay, aiming to curb unpaid overtime that has grown with digital operations.

It also calls for an employees’ welfare authority, counselling services on healthy tech use, and digital detox centres to help workers reduce technology-induced stress and focus on personal relationships.

Two more proposals from Sule

Sule also introduced:
• Paternity and Paternal Benefits Bill, 2025, proposing paid paternal leave and shared caregiving support.
• An amendment to the Code on Social Security, seeking to recognise gig and platform workers as a separate category entitled to minimum wages, regulated work hours, social security and fair contracts.

Why private member’s bills matter

Though private member’s bills rarely become law, they spotlight issues legislators believe require urgent attention. Sule’s proposal reflects a broader transition already taking shape in Indian workplaces as employees and employers reassess how much digital access is too much.

Regardless of legislative outcome, the Bill reinforces a question central to modern work culture — how to draw the line once the working day ends.