The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, introduced in Parliament on 1 December by Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, aims to address the growing problem of employees being constantly connected to work. It seeks to protect workers from after-hours calls, emails, and messages that extend their workday beyond office hours.

Aim of the bill

In today’s digital world, work often continues long after people leave the office, with late-night emails, continuous phone calls, and work-related messages becoming a normal part of life. This “always online” culture has created high levels of stress, burnout, and anxiety among workers, leaving them with little time for rest, family, hobbies, or their own mental well-being. The bill seeks to protect employees by giving them the legal right to disconnect from work once their shift ends. 

What is Right to Disconnect Bill

The bill states that employees should be allowed to refuse calls, emails, or messages after office hours without facing any pressure or punishment from their employers. While companies can still contact their workers, employees will not be obligated to respond, and if they do choose to reply, they must be paid overtime at the regular wage rate. This ensures that any extra work done beyond office hours is fairly compensated. 

The bill also makes it clear that employers cannot take disciplinary action against employees who choose not to respond after hours. To maintain clarity, communication between employers and employees outside working hours should only take place during a mutually agreed time. 

Along with these protections, the bill introduces measures to support mental well-being, such as government-provided counseling services to help workers manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. It also proposes the creation of digital detox centers, where individuals can learn how to limit excessive digital usage and improve their overall lifestyle. 

Penalties for non-compliance

To ensure companies follow these rules, the bill includes penalties, requiring firms that violate the guidelines to pay a sanction of 1% of their total employee remuneration. This proposed law is significant at a time when remote work, flexible schedules, and digital tools have blurred the boundaries between personal and professional life.

 By giving workers the right to disconnect without guilt, the bill encourages a healthier, more respectful work culture where people can recharge, spend meaningful time outside work, and return to their jobs with better focus and well-being.