Right to Disconnect Bill Introduced in Lok Sabha; Seeks to Stop Employers From Contacting Staff After Working Hours

A new private member’s Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday has brought the discussion on work-life balance into the legislative space. MP Supriya Sule has proposed the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, which aims to give employees a legal right to ignore work-related calls, emails and messages after official working hours.

Key Features of the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025

The Bill’s central idea is straightforward: employees should not be expected to remain available beyond their designated working hours or on holidays. It also suggests penalties for employers who violate this rule, recommending a fine amounting to 1% of the organisation’s total employee remuneration.

Why the Bill Says Boundaries Are Needed

According to Sule, digital tools have blurred the line between work and personal life. While technology has improved flexibility, it has also created pressure to stay connected at all times.

The Bill refers to studies showing that round-the-clock availability leads to poor sleep, emotional burnout, and heavy cognitive stress, often described as “telepressure” or “information overload”.

Thus, the proposed law is framed as a step towards safeguarding employees’ mental health and personal time.

Flexibility for Organisations

The Bill recognises that different workplaces have different needs. It allows companies to design their own internal policies on out-of-hours communication, but only with clear terms, transparency, and employee consent.

Overtime and Digital Responsibility

If an employee chooses to work beyond official hours, the Bill states that they must receive overtime pay at the normal wage rate. This provision aims to reduce unpaid overtime, which has increased due to constant digital access.

The draft also proposes the creation of an Employees’ Welfare Authority to promote awareness about the right to disconnect. It recommends counselling services on healthy technology use and digital detox centres to help individuals manage screen time and strengthen personal relationships.

Other Bills Introduced by Supriya Sule

Sule introduced two more proposals:

1. Paternity and Paternal Benefits Bill, 2025: seeks paid paternity leave and encourages shared childcare responsibilities.
2. Amendment to the Code on Social Security: proposes recognising platform-based gig workers as a distinct category entitled to minimum wages, regulated hours, social security benefits, and fair contracts.

What Private Member’s Bills Represent

Private member’s bills rarely become law, but they highlight concerns that MPs believe require attention. Even if this Bill does not move forward, it reflects a growing debate on how technology affects work culture. The larger question it raises is how employees can reclaim their personal time in an era where digital communication extends the workday far beyond office hours.