In a world where “urgent” emails ping at midnight and WhatsApp groups buzz on Sundays, the boundary between office and home has all but vanished. But a new legislative move in the Indian Parliament aims to redraw that line.
NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule recently introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha.2 While still a Private Member’s Bill, it has ignited a fierce national conversation about burnout, “hustle culture,” and the legal right to peace of mind.3
At Kelp, where we champion safe, happy, and inclusive workplaces, we believe this conversation is long overdue. Here is our deep dive into what the bill proposes and why it matters now.
What is the Right to Disconnect Bill?
The Bill seeks to legally empower employees to “switch off” from work outside of their contracted hours. It addresses the “always-on” culture that has led to a surge in stress and mental health issues among Indian professionals.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Bill:
- The Right to Refuse: Employees would have the legal right to not answer work-related calls, emails, or messages after official working hours, on weekends, or during holidays.
- Zero Retaliation: Employers would be strictly prohibited from taking disciplinary action (such as wage cuts, poor performance reviews, or termination) against an employee who chooses to disconnect.
- Overtime Compensation: If an employee does agree to work or respond to communications outside fixed hours, they must be paid overtime at their normal wage rate.
- Employer Penalties: Companies found violating the act could face significant penalties, potentially up to 1% of their total employee remuneration.
- Digital Detox Support: The Bill proposes that the government and companies provide counseling services and establish “digital detox centers” to help citizens manage digital stress.
Why Now? The Context of Burnout
This isn’t the first time Supriya Sule has championed this cause she introduced a similar bill in 2019. However, the 2025 version arrives in a very different climate.
Post-pandemic, the hybrid work model has blurred the lines between “living at work” and “working from home.” Recent tragedies linked to workplace exhaustion such as the death of a young audit professional in Pune and controversial debates over the “70-hour workweek” have pushed employee well-being to the forefront of national consciousness.
Globally, India is playing catch-up. Countries like France, Australia, and Belgium already have “Right to Disconnect” laws in place, recognizing that rest is not just a perk, but a human right.
Kelp’s Take: A Shift in Corporate Consciousness
Whether or not this Bill becomes law (Private Member’s Bills rarely do without government adoption), its mere introduction is a signal that India Inc. cannot ignore.
For Employers:
This is a wake-up call to review your culture. Relying on after-hours communication is often a symptom of poor resource planning or unclear boundaries. Proactively adopting “disconnect” policies even without a law can boost retention, reduce burnout, and enhance your employer brand.
For Employees:
This Bill validates the feeling that your personal time is valuable. It encourages a shift from “availability as a metric of dedication” to “productivity during hours” as the true measure of success.
The Road Ahead
At Kelp, we believe that a happy workplace is a productive workplace. Policies that respect an employee’s downtime don’t just prevent burnout; they foster loyalty and creativity.
While we wait to see the legislative fate of the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, organizations don’t need to wait to make a change. Building a culture of respect starts today.
Need Help Navigating Workplace Wellness?
Creating a balanced work culture requires more than just good intentions it requires structure. From drafting Mental Wellness policies to training managers on Empathetic Leadership, Kelp is your partner in building safer, happier workplaces.
