The Right to Disconnect Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2018 by MP Supriya Sule, proposes giving employees the right to refuse work communication outside their scheduled hours. The bill aims to formalise boundaries in India’s increasingly digital workplace.
The proposal requires organisations to clearly define work hours, permissible after-hours communication and compensation structures. It also calls for forming committees to handle complaints related to excessive digital contact.
Highlighting the broader implications, Sunil Chemmankotil, Country Manager, Adecco India, stated:
“India must balance productivity with clear rest boundaries. A phased approach, aligned with new labour laws, will help introduce such norms without affecting business continuity.”
As per the draft, employees must not face penalties for ignoring communication after work unless classified as an emergency. The bill has not been passed, and the right to disconnect is not currently recognised in Indian law.
