Understanding the Right to Disconnect Bill 2025

Introduction to the Right to Disconnect Bill

On December 6, 2025, NCP MP Supriya Sule introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill in the Lok Sabha. This legislation aims to protect employees from digital burnout by granting them the legal right to refuse work-related communications outside of office hours and on holidays. The bill addresses the challenges arising from remote work and digital communication, which have blurred the lines between professional and personal life.

What is the Right to Disconnect Bill?

The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, seeks to establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. It empowers employees to disconnect from official communications, thereby promoting a healthier work-life balance.

Key Provisions

• Employees cannot be compelled to respond to work-related communications after hours or during holidays.
• No disciplinary actions may be taken against employees who choose not to respond.
• This rule applies to all communication methods, including calls, texts, emails, and video meetings.
• Employers and employees must mutually agree on terms for emergency communications.
• If an employee works after hours, they are entitled to overtime pay at their normal wage rate.

Proposed Penalties

To enforce compliance, the bill outlines penalties for organizations that violate its provisions. Companies may face fines equivalent to 1% of the total remuneration paid to the employee, serving as a financial deterrent against after-hours demands.

Emergency Communication Rules

The bill allows flexibility for genuine emergencies. Employers and employees can establish specific terms for emergency communications, ensuring operational needs do not overshadow employee rights. A workplace committee may be formed to define these terms, balancing company obligations with worker welfare.

Importance of the Bill

The accompanying statement with the bill emphasizes the negative impacts of digital overreach, referencing global research that highlights:

• Sleep loss and fatigue
• Emotional exhaustion and anxiety
• Telepressure—the stress of needing to respond immediately
• “Info-obesity”—the overload of digital communication

India currently has one of the longest workweeks globally, at 48 hours. The bill recognizes that while digital tools enhance productivity, they also contribute to an “always available” culture, jeopardizing mental health.

A Renewed Attempt

This is not the first attempt by Supriya Sule to address this issue. A previous version of the Right to Disconnect Bill was introduced in 2019 but did not advance. The current version reflects the urgency for workplace reforms, especially following the rise of remote working due to the pandemic.

Global Context

Countries such as France, Italy, and the Philippines have already enacted similar laws that recognize the right to disconnect as a labor right. For instance, France mandated in 2017 that companies with over 50 employees negotiate policies regarding after-hours communications. India's proposal aligns with this global trend focused on preserving employee mental health and personal time in the digital age.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the main objective of the Right to Disconnect Bill?
Answer: The Right to Disconnect Bill aims to empower employees by allowing them to refuse work-related communications after office hours, promoting work-life balance and mental health.

Q2. What penalties do organizations face for violating the bill?
Answer: Organizations that violate the provisions of the Right to Disconnect Bill may incur fines amounting to 1% of the total remuneration paid to the employee.

Q3. Can employers contact employees during emergencies?
Answer: Yes, the bill allows for emergency communications, provided employers and employees mutually agree upon specific terms to address such situations.

Q4. How does this bill relate to employee mental health?
Answer: The bill seeks to mitigate digital burnout by establishing boundaries between work and personal life, thus promoting better mental health for employees.

Q5. What prompted the introduction of the 2025 bill?
Answer: The bill was introduced in response to the increasing pressures of remote work and digital communication, highlighting the need for workplace reforms to protect employee well-being.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What does the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 aim to achieve?
A) Allowing employees to work from home
B) Preventing digital burnout by establishing communication boundaries
C) Increasing work hours for employees
D) Reducing employee salaries
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: What is the proposed penalty for organizations violating the Right to Disconnect Bill?
A) Suspension of operations
B) A fine of 1% of total remuneration paid
C) Mandatory overtime work
D) Employee termination
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: Which country was the first to implement the right to disconnect law?
A) Italy
B) France
C) India
D) Philippines
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: What is telepressure?
A) The need to work overtime
B) Stress from feeling obligated to respond immediately
C) Fatigue from excessive work
D) Anxiety caused by job insecurity
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: How does the bill propose to handle emergency communications?
A) No communications allowed
B) Employers must agree with employees on terms
C) Employees must respond immediately
D) Communication is prohibited after hours
Correct Answer: B