An Overview of the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025

Understanding the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025

Recently, a Private Member’s Bill titled the “Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025” was introduced in the Lok Sabha. This Bill addresses rising concerns over work-life imbalance in an increasingly digital and hyper-connected work environment.

Difference Between a Government Bill and a Private Member’s Bill

A Government Bill is initiated by a Minister on behalf of the government and reflects its legislative agenda. In contrast, a Private Member’s Bill is introduced by a Member of Parliament who is not a Minister.

Admissibility and Discussion

Government Bills can be introduced and discussed on any working day of Parliament. Private Member’s Bills, however, can only be considered on specific days allotted for Private Members’ business.

Purpose

The primary aim of a Government Bill is to implement the policies and legislative priorities of the ruling government. Conversely, a Private Member’s Bill seeks to draw attention to particular issues that require legislative intervention but may not be on the official agenda.

Procedure and Passage

A Private Member’s Bill follows the same legislative procedure as a Government Bill, including passage in both Houses of Parliament and receiving the President’s assent. However, very few such bills become law; only 14 Private Members’ Bills have been passed and enacted so far. The first was the Muslim Wakf Act, 1952, and the last was the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Act, 1970.

Background

The concept of limiting working hours has its roots in the 19th-century labor movement, which advocated for an eight-hour workday to balance labor and leisure. In the digital era, constant connectivity allows employers to intrude into employees’ personal time, leading to overwork and "telepressure." This phenomenon is associated with stress, sleep deprivation, and emotional exhaustion.

Recognizing these risks, countries like France, Portugal, and Australia have enacted laws to protect employees’ right to disconnect. In India, Kerala has become the first state to introduce a “Right to Disconnect” policy, allowing employees to legally ignore work-related communications outside office hours.

About the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025

The Bill aims to establish a clear boundary between professional obligations and personal time. It proposes creating an employees’ welfare authority to safeguard workers’ rights and promote mental well-being. Employees would not be obligated to respond to work-related electronic communications after working hours or during holidays.

Key Features of the Bill

• The establishment of an employees’ welfare authority to formally confer the right to disconnect on every employee.
• Employees would have the right to ignore work-related phone calls, emails, and messages beyond prescribed working hours and on holidays without fear of penalty.
• The Bill prohibits employers from penalizing workers for non-responsiveness outside office hours.
• Companies with more than ten employees must negotiate and define overtime terms for work performed beyond regular hours.
• The government and private firms are encouraged to provide counseling services and establish digital detox centers to promote work-life balance.
• Penalties for non-compliance may include a fine of 1 percent of the total remuneration of the affected employees.

Global Example: Australia’s Right to Disconnect Framework

Australia recently implemented Right to Disconnect rules, which have renewed attention to work-life balance issues in India. This framework allows workers to refuse after-hours calls and messages unless such refusal is unreasonable, providing critical protection to employees in a constantly connected digital environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025?
Answer: The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 aims to establish boundaries between work and personal time, ensuring employees are not obligated to respond to work communications after hours or on holidays.

Q2. How does a Private Member’s Bill differ from a Government Bill?
Answer: A Private Member’s Bill is introduced by a non-Minister Member of Parliament, while a Government Bill is introduced by a Minister representing the government's legislative agenda.

Q3. What protections does the Right to Disconnect Bill provide?
Answer: The Bill protects employees from being penalized for ignoring work-related communications outside of prescribed working hours and during holidays.

Q4. How many Private Members’ Bills have been enacted in India?
Answer: So far, only 14 Private Members’ Bills have been passed and enacted into law in India, with the first being the Muslim Wakf Act, 1952.

Q5. Which countries have laws similar to the Right to Disconnect?
Answer: Countries like France, Portugal, and Australia have enacted laws protecting employees' right to disconnect, addressing work-life balance in the digital age.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary aim of the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025?
A) To increase work hours
B) To establish work-life balance
C) To reduce employee rights
D) To eliminate telecommuting
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Who can introduce a Private Member’s Bill?
A) Only the Prime Minister
B) Any Member of Parliament
C) Only government officials
D) Only the Speaker of the House
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: Which state in India first introduced a Right to Disconnect policy?
A) Maharashtra
B) Kerala
C) Karnataka
D) Tamil Nadu
Correct Answer: B